On August 24, 2026, the Florida Department of Health filed a proposed rule change similar to the one that was fought last year. The proposed rule eliminates the four vaccinations that are currently only required by rule and not included in law for school entry or childcare attendance: Varicella (chickenpox), Hepatitis B, Haemophilus influenza type b (Hib), and Pneumococcal Conjugate (for childcare facilities and family day care homes).
Also included is an expansion of the religious exemption parents can apply for to include “a sincerely held moral or ethical belief.”
The purpose of the rule is to update the immunization and document requirements for childcare and school entry, in a new program called Florida SHOTS , (State Health Online Tracking System), the free, secure, statewide online immunization information system that helps parents, patients, and providers manage immunization records.
Some of the assistance parents and patients can access are:
How do I get my vaccination records?
How much does it cost to use Florida SHOTS?
Can my children attend public or private school without immunizations?
How can I get a religious exemption from immunization for my child?
Do Florida colleges require proof of meningitis vaccination?
Without medical insurance how can I get my children immunized?
How can I get health Insurance for my child?
To summarize, this proposed rule removes from requirements immunizations that are not required by section 1003.22, Florida Statutes, and updates the Certification of Immunization and the Immunization Guidelines to conform with this change.
The rule will also update the Religious Exemption form, and requirements for participation in Florida SHOTS by reference as required by law.