State surgeon general fails to estimate financial implications of lifting vaccine mandates; experts in the field have provided such calculations instead.

Florida's surgeon general stated he didn't conduct cost analyses regarding the abolition of vaccine mandates within the state, while scientists have indeed done so.

In recent years, concerns have arisen about the decline in vaccination rates, particularly for the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, in various regions, including Florida and Canada. This trend could potentially lead to an increase in measles cases and the size of outbreaks.

A study conducted by infectious disease forecasters at Stanford University predicts that a 15% decrease in vaccinations against measles over a period of 25 years in Florida could result in up to 1 million measles cases. The MMR vaccine, which offers 97% protection against infection, becomes less effective when vaccination rates in a community drop, raising the risk of exposure.

This issue is not unique to Florida. Vaccination rates are falling across the United States, partly due to more states allowing parents to opt out of school mandates for religious or philosophical reasons and the rise in vaccine skepticism. In Canada, despite having a smaller population than the US, it has reported many more measles cases this year compared to the US.

One study found that at least 11% of vaccinated children in measles outbreaks acquired the infection through contact with a child who had a vaccine exemption. This highlights the importance of maintaining high vaccination rates to prevent the spread of the disease.

In Florida, the exemption rate among kindergartners last school year was 5.1% for at least one vaccine, higher than the 3.6% national average. However, a report from an independent group of public health experts found "strong evidence" that vaccine mandates significantly increase vaccination rates and decrease morbidity and mortality from vaccine-preventable diseases.

Vaccine requirements have also proven effective in reducing the incidence of other diseases, such as measles, mumps, influenza, and hepatitis. In many areas, vaccination rates have fallen below the 95% threshold in kindergarteners needed to create herd immunity against measles.

While the potential costs of ending vaccine mandates have been discussed, Dr. Joseph Ladapo, Florida's surgeon general, has stated that he has not weighed these costs in terms of infections, hospitalizations, or deaths. On the other hand, it's important to note that for every 1,000 measles cases, there are between 1 and 3 deaths from breathing complications or brain swelling.

Despite these concerns, a survey in Florida found that 82% of parents support public schools requiring vaccines for measles and polio, with some exceptions. As the debate continues, it's crucial to prioritise the health and safety of our communities by maintaining high vaccination rates and ensuring herd immunity.

One area that requires further investigation is the impact of lower vaccination rates among kindergarten teachers on the spread of measles, rubella, and scarlet fever. More research in this area is needed to fully understand the risks and develop effective strategies to maintain high vaccination rates among educators.

In the meantime, it's essential to educate the public on the importance of vaccinations and address vaccine hesitancy to protect our communities from preventable diseases like measles.