State Lawmakers Consider Rollbacks to School Vaccine Mandates

Legislative proposals to reduce or eliminate school-entry vaccine requirements have emerged in multiple U.S. states, reflecting a coordinated policy movement. The developments are notable as they involve both legislative action and regulatory changes affecting school immunization rules.

At least nine states, including New York, New Hampshire, Georgia, Iowa, and Idaho, have seen bills introduced that would remove or significantly reduce vaccine mandates for students entering school. These proposals are part of a broader effort by groups such as Children’s Health Defense and organizations supporting the “Make America Healthy Again” movement, which are working to advance such changes across the country.

The Medical Freedom Act Coalition has stated its intention to introduce similar bills in all 50 states. In some areas, efforts are focused on states with strict exemption policies, while others seek to further relax already permissive rules. For example, Texas now allows parents to print vaccine exemption forms at home, starting in September 2025.

In New Hampshire, the state House passed a bill in March 2025 that would limit required childhood immunizations to those listed in state law, with mandates for chickenpox and other diseases set to be removed by mid-2026. Meanwhile, in Texas, a proposed constitutional amendment (HJR 91) would establish a right to refuse vaccination.

What the numbers show

• Idaho’s non-medical exemption rate is approximately 15.1%, the highest in the U.S
• Over 900 people were affected by a measles outbreak in South Carolina, with at least 19 hospitalizations
• Texas parents will be able to print exemption forms at home starting September 2025

Florida’s Department of Health announced in September 2025 that vaccines for hepatitis B, chickenpox, Hib, and pneumococcal disease would become voluntary for school attendance. However, requirements for measles and polio immunizations remain in place. Florida officials are also considering additional regulatory changes, though no bill to eliminate all school-entry vaccine mandates has been introduced as of the latest updates.

Several other states have adopted new approaches to vaccine policy. California, Oregon, Washington, and Hawaii created the West Coast Health Alliance in September 2025 to coordinate vaccine guidance independently from the CDC. In Colorado, legislation passed in spring 2025 allows the state health board to consider scientific sources beyond federal guidance when setting requirements, and pharmacists were authorized to administer COVID-19 vaccines without prescriptions as of September 2025.

Massachusetts enacted a law requiring insurers to cover vaccines recommended by the state health department, not just those endorsed by the CDC, effective late 2025. Pennsylvania permitted pharmacists to administer COVID-19 vaccines based on recommendations from medical groups rather than federal authorities.

Public health experts have stated that reducing school vaccination requirements could lower immunization rates and increase the risk of disease outbreaks. A recent measles outbreak in South Carolina, which resulted in over 900 cases and at least 19 hospitalizations, has been cited as an example of potential risks associated with decreased vaccination coverage.

Industry reaction

At a Heritage Foundation event, the general counsel for Children’s Health Defense stated that the organization’s goal is to eliminate vaccine mandates, especially those linked to school attendance. The Florida Surgeon General has stated opposition to vaccine requirements, describing them as government overreach and expressing strong disapproval of such policies.

RFK Jr. has publicly said he is not involved in efforts to repeal school-entry vaccine requirements. He has stated support for allowing families to make vaccine decisions in consultation with their physicians and for freedom of choice regarding immunizations.

* This article is based on publicly available information at the time of writing.