NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Childhood vaccination rates are on the decline nationwide, and Florida’s surgeon general has announced a plan to eliminate vaccine requirements entirely.

However, it’s a plan that has some local pediatricians concerned.

“Pediatricians are dedicated to ensuring the safety and well-being of children,” stated Dr. Scott Huitink from Compass Pediatrics. “Simple safety measures like bicycle helmets, car seats, and immunizations are all part of that commitment.”

The timeline for Florida’s decision to cease requiring vaccines remains uncertain, but Dr. Huitink warned of potential widespread effects, particularly with families traveling and children gathering in close proximity, such as in Florida’s theme parks. He also referred to the 2014 measles outbreak at Disneyland in California as a cautionary example.

“It’s challenging; we’ve historically struggled to effectively communicate the importance of both personal and herd immunity,” Dr. Huitink remarked. “This could be a social experiment to observe the consequences of eliminating herd immunity.”

Tennessee State Rep. Rusty Grills (R-Newbern) mentioned that there’s currently no known legislation to revoke vaccine mandates, though he believes it’s an important topic to explore.

“I support parental choice across all areas of life—how to raise, discipline, and what to feed their children,” Grills stated. “While I support vaccines and have chosen them for myself and my children, I believe such decisions should be made in consultation with healthcare providers, which I think is the best approach.”

Grills said he believes that if vaccines are a good idea, people will naturally choose them on their own.

“This is one of those instances where Florida, I feel like, they are leading in the form of making sure that individual responsibility and personal responsibility, that is, is going back to the person, not the government,” Grills said.

Dr. Huitink said that he has seen parents grow more skeptical of vaccines in recent years. However, he urged them to talk with their pediatrician before making any final decisions.

“It is discouraging, I think, to see our heart and soul pitted against I think a change in public policy, in an area that we’ve seen tremendous benefits for decades,” Dr. Huitink said. “And so, we’re rolling back time, and I guess if you don’t learn the lessons of history, you’re destined to repeat them, I suppose.”

This year, the United States has seen more than 600 cases of measles across 21 states. That’s more than double the number from 2024.