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It's a New Day in Public Health.

The Florida Department of Health works to protect, promote, and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county, and community efforts.

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Florida Health

Disease Control

Vaccine/Testing/Mask Requirements 

The Department of Health works alongside the Attorney General to ensure Floridians are protected from losing their jobs or being denied access to, and services from, businesses, governmental entities, and educational institutions  due to vaccine, COVID-19 testing, or face covering (mask) mandates and to protect individuals' rights to make their own health care choices.

Educational Institutions

Florida law prohibits educational institutions, such as schools and colleges, from requiring routine childhood vaccines unless the institution also provides for religious exemptions and allows for medical accommodations for persons who decline or cannot receive the routine vaccines. Exemption forms for children in kindergarten through 12th grade are available at county health departments.

Educational institutions cannot require, for any reason, COVID-19 vaccines or vaccines that are authorized by the FDA as emergency use authorization vaccines; proof of recovery from COVID-19; and COVID-19 testing or testing results. Additionally, educational institutions cannot require face masks except during a course of study where face masks are necessary safety equipment.

Violations by educational institutions, including public and private schools, preschools, career centers, and postsecondary schools, can be reported to the Department of Health at VaxPassFreeFL@FLHealth.gov, +1 (850) 617-1504.

Businesses and Governmental Entities

With limited except

Educational Institutions

Florida law prohibits educational institutions, such as schools and colleges, from requiring routine childhood vaccines unless the institution also provides for religious exemptions and allows for medical accommodations for persons who decline or cannot receive the routine vaccines. Exemption forms for children in kindergarten through 12th grade are available at county health departments.

Educational institutions cannot require, for any reason, COVID-19 vaccines or vaccines that are authorized by the FDA as emergency use authorization vaccines; proof of recovery from COVID-19; and COVID-19 testing or testing results. Additionally, educational institutions cannot require face masks except during a course of study where face masks are necessary safety equipment.

Violations by educational institutions, including public and private schools, preschools, career centers, and postsecondary schools, can be reported to the Department of Health at VaxPassFreeFL@FLHealth.gov, +1 (850) 617-1504.

Businesses and Governmental Entities

With limited exceptions, both public and private employers are prohibited from discriminating against employees, contractors, volunteers, and visitors without opportunity for these individuals to obtain an exemption based on religious beliefs or medical necessity.

For more information about the prohibitions that apply to businesses and governmental entities, please visit Health Care Choices and Medical Conscience at myfloridalegal.com. Violations by private businesses and governmental entities can be reported to the Attorney General at healthcarechoices@myfloridalegal.com.

* The contents of this web page do not have the force and effect of law and are not meant to bind the public. This web page is intended only to provide clarity to the public regarding existing requirements under the law and Department rules.

ions, both public and private employers are prohibited from discriminating against employees, contractors, volunteers, and visitors without opportunity for these individuals to obtain an exemption based on religious beliefs or medical necessity.

For more information about the prohibitions that apply to businesses and governmental entities, please visit Health Care Choices and Medical Conscience at myfloridalegal.com. Violations by private businesses and governmental entities can be reported to the Attorney General at healthcarechoices@myfloridalegal.com.

* The contents of this web page do not have the force and effect of law and are not meant to bind the public. This web page is intended only to provide clarity to the public regarding existing requirements under the law and Department rules.