Florida's Senate Committee on Health Policy voted 6-4 on January 29th to advance SB 1756, the Medical Freedom Act, which prohibits the State Health Officer from ordering vaccinations and establishes conscience protections as exemptions from school-entry vaccine requirements. The bill requires providers to obtain signed informed consent before administering vaccines to minors and awaits consideration in the Appropriations Committee.

Following September 2025 federal restrictions limiting COVID-19 vaccine eligibility to adults 65+ and high-risk individuals, 18 states implemented protective measures including executive orders allowing pharmacy administration without prescriptions. Regional alliances like the West Coast Health Alliance and Northeast Public Health Collaborative emerged, while Florida moved to eliminate school vaccine mandates. The bipartisan Governor's Public Health Alliance launched October 15 with 15 governors coordinating responses.

As federal vaccine recommendations become less consistent, states are increasingly asserting independent authority over immunization policies. Several states formed regional collaboratives for vaccine guidance and procurement in late 2025, while others enacted legislation replacing federal recommendations with state-based advisories. Conversely, some states like Florida are moving to eliminate school vaccine mandates and emphasize parental choice through regulatory changes.

While the COVID-19 vaccines were the first mRNA technologies approved by the FDA, NIH scientists have been studying the technology since the 1960s. Now, mRNA technology is being explored for other diseases like cancer and the flu. Due to controversies stemming from the COVID pandemic response, including the vaccines, conservative legislators in 12 states have introduced legislation limiting mRNA vaccine technology.

Legislation we’re watching this month, including Medicaid policy activity in several states, a bill to eliminate the New Hampshire Vaccine Association, and more.