In the event the public health department declares a public health emergency and issues orders for mass vaccination, will my religious exemption prevent state agents from forcing compliance?
It is not clear. It may depend upon whether public health officials are operating pursuant to a federal or state declaration of public health emergency. Public health powers over vaccination are different, depending upon the law under which the emergency is declared. The Homeland Security Act signed into law by President George W. Bush, provides for voluntary vaccination in the event of an emergency where mass vaccination would be implemented. Thus, the religious objection is protected. However, the Florida legislature approved the original more coercive version – of the MSEHPA (Model State Emergency Health Powers Act) and Governor Jeb Bush signed it into law. Florida Statute 381.00315 (1)(b)4, gives an unelected public health official the power to force vaccination in certain circumstances with “any means necessary” (including the use of armed law enforcement officers). Even though the statutory language provides for a quarantine option for those who do not want to be vaccinated for h
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