The Florida Senate passed a bill creating a "conscience exemption" for vaccine requirements for children in K-12 schools and allowing ivermectin without a prescription for sale to adults 18 and older in the upper chamber this week.
Known as the Medical Freedom Act, SB 1756 aims to give parents more relevant and timely information regarding their children's health, including specific material before a vaccine is given and when applying for an exemption. The bill also solidifies the state's current ban on discrimination based on a person's mRNA vaccination status, including protections against forced vaccinations during emergencies.
The vote was 23-15.
Rep. Clay Yarbrough (R-Jacksonville) sponsored the bill in the Senate.
Rep. Jeff Holcomb (R-Spring Hill) sponsored a comparable bill in the House, but its status in the lower chamber remains unclear.
"Florida has been a national leader in parental rights because we believe parents have a God given right and responsibility to direct the upbringing of their children. The default decision maker in a child's life is the parent - not the government," Senate President Ben Albritton (R-Wauchula) said. This legislation not only ensures government is respecting the rights of parents to decide timing for vaccinations, but also makes certain whether they choose to vaccinate, or not, or in part, parents have detailed information available to make these important decisions."
Ivermectin, included in the bill, is a drug most commonly used to treat parasitic diseases. The drug was approved for use to fight against parasitic infections in humans in 1987.
It includes treating Strongyloidiasis, an infection caused by contact with contaminated soil, including the Strongyloides, a type of parasitic roundworm. Ivermectin is also prescribed to treat Onchocerciasis, or river blindness, a parasitic infection caused by blackfly bites.
“Ivermectin has been widely utilized in many communities cross our state for years. Making this medication available behind-the-counter without a prescription is long overdue," Albritton added.
Gov. DeSantis indicated he would sign a bill on the over-the-counter sale of Ivermectin in a social media response in October.
"This legislation ensures parents have the opportunity to make educated medical decisions they believe are best for their school-aged children," Yarborough said. "We have the responsibility to look out for the best interest of public health; at the same time, the rights of parents are paramount. Parents have a fundamental right to choose what they believe is best for their children."