Unvaccinated patients reportedly denied care—here's what the Surgeon General says is happening
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In a move that’s sparked concern across Florida, state Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo has brought attention to an unsettling trend: some doctors in the state are reportedly turning away children who are not fully vaccinated.
The situation has prompted calls for state-level legislation and renewed public debate within Florida about parental choice, medical ethics, and the right to access care—regardless of personal health decisions.
In March, Ladapo and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis called for a broader set of protections, including a ban on mRNA vaccine mandates and a prohibition on businesses or government entities refusing to hire—or choosing to fire—individuals based on their vaccination status.
Ladapo is also urging lawmakers to support Senate Bill 1270, a measure that would prohibit healthcare providers from refusing treatment solely because a patient has not followed the CDC’s vaccination schedule.
He believes the bill is necessary to protect families who are facing difficulty finding pediatric care due to their vaccine preferences.
"This is really a prohibition on discrimination based on whatever vaccine preferences a person may have," Ladapo said.
He added that while doctors should do their due diligence, "that should not mean they can't see patients with different perspectives on vaccinations."
During a Senate Rules Committee meeting on Monday, Ladapo described hearing from parents across Florida who struggled to find pediatricians willing to see their children if they deviated even slightly from the CDC’s recommended schedule.
"We're in a new era," he said. "There are more people now asking questions about 'what's really best for my kid' after the last few years we've been in. Most of these parents aren't even parents that don't want any vaccines for their kids. That's the minority."
"Most of them are parents who just don't feel like it's appropriate, it's in the best interest of their kid to get four vaccines in one visit—which is part of the CDC schedule."
Ladapo claimed that many pediatric offices—particularly in places like Pinellas County—do not allow any flexibility for parents wishing to spread out vaccinations over multiple visits.
Later that same day, the Florida Senate Rules Committee voted 17–6 to advance Senate Bill 1270 to the full Senate.
Sponsored by Senator Jay Collins, the bill would ban healthcare discrimination based on vaccination status and reinforce patients’ rights to make individual health decisions.
The legislation also includes provisions to maintain Florida’s definition of mRNA vaccines and support a patient’s right to opt out of certain immunizations without being denied medical services.
Source: X / @FLVoiceNews.
Florida’s childhood vaccination rates have dropped steadily in recent years.
According to the Miami Herald, nearly all 67 counties in the state have seen declines since the pandemic began.
The share of kindergartners receiving all required vaccines fell from 94% in 2019–20 to 88% in 2023–24.
This drop has coincided with a rise in religious exemptions, resulting in several thousand children missing standard immunizations.
Governor DeSantis and Florida First Lady Casey DeSantis have spoken in support of the bill, particularly in response to the CDC’s inclusion of the mRNA COVID vaccine in its recommended childhood schedule.
Both have emphasized the importance of evidence-based medical decisions and cautioned against one-size-fits-all public health policies.
Here at The GrayVine, we understand that healthcare decisions—especially when it comes to children—are deeply personal and often difficult.
As this debate conversation, it’s clear that many families are navigating a complex landscape where beliefs, guidance, and access don’t always align.
Read next: Travelers take note: Why New York's latest health alert may change your travel plans
As always, we welcome your thoughts. Have you or your family experienced challenges related to vaccination and access to care? Do you believe legislation like this could help? Let us know in the comments—we’re here to share, listen, and learn from one another.
The situation has prompted calls for state-level legislation and renewed public debate within Florida about parental choice, medical ethics, and the right to access care—regardless of personal health decisions.
In March, Ladapo and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis called for a broader set of protections, including a ban on mRNA vaccine mandates and a prohibition on businesses or government entities refusing to hire—or choosing to fire—individuals based on their vaccination status.
Ladapo is also urging lawmakers to support Senate Bill 1270, a measure that would prohibit healthcare providers from refusing treatment solely because a patient has not followed the CDC’s vaccination schedule.
He believes the bill is necessary to protect families who are facing difficulty finding pediatric care due to their vaccine preferences.
Ongoing discussions in Florida are raising new questions about access to pediatric care and patient rights. Image Source: YouTube / CBS Evening News.
"This is really a prohibition on discrimination based on whatever vaccine preferences a person may have," Ladapo said.
He added that while doctors should do their due diligence, "that should not mean they can't see patients with different perspectives on vaccinations."
Concerns about access to pediatric care
During a Senate Rules Committee meeting on Monday, Ladapo described hearing from parents across Florida who struggled to find pediatricians willing to see their children if they deviated even slightly from the CDC’s recommended schedule.
"We're in a new era," he said. "There are more people now asking questions about 'what's really best for my kid' after the last few years we've been in. Most of these parents aren't even parents that don't want any vaccines for their kids. That's the minority."
"Most of them are parents who just don't feel like it's appropriate, it's in the best interest of their kid to get four vaccines in one visit—which is part of the CDC schedule."
Ladapo claimed that many pediatric offices—particularly in places like Pinellas County—do not allow any flexibility for parents wishing to spread out vaccinations over multiple visits.
Also read: Measles on the rise: 4 deadly myths you need to DEBUNK immediately
Lawmakers take action
Later that same day, the Florida Senate Rules Committee voted 17–6 to advance Senate Bill 1270 to the full Senate.
Sponsored by Senator Jay Collins, the bill would ban healthcare discrimination based on vaccination status and reinforce patients’ rights to make individual health decisions.
The legislation also includes provisions to maintain Florida’s definition of mRNA vaccines and support a patient’s right to opt out of certain immunizations without being denied medical services.
Source: X / @FLVoiceNews.
Also read: Whooping cough and measles updates you need to know for your loved one
Vaccine rates continue to decline in Florida
Florida’s childhood vaccination rates have dropped steadily in recent years.
According to the Miami Herald, nearly all 67 counties in the state have seen declines since the pandemic began.
The share of kindergartners receiving all required vaccines fell from 94% in 2019–20 to 88% in 2023–24.
This drop has coincided with a rise in religious exemptions, resulting in several thousand children missing standard immunizations.
Governor DeSantis and Florida First Lady Casey DeSantis have spoken in support of the bill, particularly in response to the CDC’s inclusion of the mRNA COVID vaccine in its recommended childhood schedule.
Both have emphasized the importance of evidence-based medical decisions and cautioned against one-size-fits-all public health policies.
Here at The GrayVine, we understand that healthcare decisions—especially when it comes to children—are deeply personal and often difficult.
As this debate conversation, it’s clear that many families are navigating a complex landscape where beliefs, guidance, and access don’t always align.
Read next: Travelers take note: Why New York's latest health alert may change your travel plans
As always, we welcome your thoughts. Have you or your family experienced challenges related to vaccination and access to care? Do you believe legislation like this could help? Let us know in the comments—we’re here to share, listen, and learn from one another.
