Florida Senate Committee Advances Legislation that would Limit Access to Vaccines and Hinder the Fight Against Cancer

Tallahassee, FL. – Following Florida Senate Appropriations Committee’s 10–7 vote to advance SB 1756 yesterday; the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) is raising serious concerns about the bill and its potential impact on cancer patients. 

The following statement can be attributed to Susan Harbin, Florida senior director of government relations for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN).

“We are concerned with the provisions in SB 1756 that weaken school-entry immunization requirements and move state policy away from established, evidence-based childhood immunization schedules, including allowing for conscience-based exemptions. 

“ACS CAN recently released data showing that an overwhelming majority of cancer patients and survivors support broad community immunization and oppose states’ actions limiting access to vaccines.  Furthermore, 86% support school-entry immunization requirements, and over three quarters oppose states eliminating vaccine requirements for schools. 

“Vaccinations are an essential part of care for people with cancer and their families. Cancer patients have weakened immune systems that make them more vulnerable to communicable illnesses. Some cannot be vaccinated, or vaccines may be less effective for them, particularly those with blood cancers or undergoing treatments like chemotherapy, long-term steroids, certain immunotherapies, or stem cell and bone marrow transplants. This is why strong community immunity is critical.”