Base choices on correct information and statistics
To the editor:
A recent contribution indicated that the author is for mandated vaccines and further stated that “Dr. John Lapado and Gov. Ron DeSantis have issued a no vaccine mandate for entry level school children in Florida.” Our governor was attempting to place the responsibility for family decisions concerning vaccines back into the hands of the parents that are responsible for their children. Remember COVID and the COVID mandates forcing people to comply or lose their jobs or being thrown out of the military for refusal to take a newly developed vaccine for which we still lack knowledge of its efficacy against the disease? A lot of statistics were cited in the contribution but no basis of comparison was offered, just numbers and names of various diseases. In 2024, the U.S. experienced a significant measles outbreak, with 285 confirmed cases reported, primarily affecting unvaccinated individuals.
This outbreak continued into 2025. As of Sept. 2, 2025, there were 1,431 confirmed measles cases reported in the United States. The outbreak began with cases appearing in Texas and neighboring states, reportedly linked to international travel. The 154 measles cases reported in the contribution seems to give the impression that they were ‘homegrown” which, of course, cannot be assumed since the state of Florida, based on the most recent U.S. Census Bureau and migration studies, receives roughly 1,755 new residents per day from other states. Also, about 93% of 2026 cases are in unvaccinated or unknown vaccination status individuals. In fact, the very issue drawing disagreement and complaint from the author has not even occurred. There was little progress on undoing mandates during the regular winter session, the vaccine-related bill, SB 1756, didn’t remove any mandates. Instead, it allowed a new kind of exemption — in addition to a religious or medical exemption, a parent could exempt their child for reasons of personal conscience. This type of exemption is already available in 17 states.
The Department of Health enforces documentation (DH 680/Florida SHOTS) and the topic remains politically contested, with lawmakers and health officials debating changes and expanded exemptions in 2025-2026
Yes, vote, vote, vote your own educated choices which includes correct information and statistics that are not biased and are based on real factual obtainable data.
Max Christian
St. James City