This year, lawmakers in several states introduced more than 200 bills that could make it harder for people to get vaccines that protect against serious diseases. Some of these bills focused on school vaccine requirements or medical freedom. Others aimed to limit newer tools, like mRNA vaccines. These changes could make it easier for preventable illnesses like flu, COVID-19, RSV and pneumonia to spread.
Experts agree that vaccines are one of the best ways to stop diseases and keep people safe. Many illnesses pass easily from person to person. Vaccines don’t just protect one person; they protect the entire community. When fewer people get vaccines, it can affect everyone. This can make everyday places like schools and workplaces less safe. For families, that means a higher chance of getting sick, missing school or work, and facing unexpected medical costs. And puts children, older adults and people with weak immune systems at even higher risk of serious illness.
Bills to Limit Access to mRNA Vaccines
Messenger RNA, or mRNA, has been studied for decades, but many people first learned about it during the COVID-19 pandemic. mRNA vaccines were created to protect people from serious illness, complications, hospitalization and death. New research also shows that mRNA medicine could prevent flu and fight cancers, including lung cancer. Because of this, mRNA technology plays an important role in preparing for future pandemics and advancing medical research. Limiting its use could slow down medical progress.
Recently, several states introduced bills that would limit or completely ban the use of mRNA vaccines, including COVID-19 vaccines. For example, in Tennessee, two bills aimed to stop the use of any shot that uses mRNA technology. A bill in Oklahoma tried to ban all DNA or RNA vaccines with steep penalties for those who don’t comply. Similar bills were also introduced in Arizona, South Dakota, West Virginia, Idaho, South Carolina and Mississippi.
The Lung Association worked hard to fight these bills. While none have passed so far, efforts to limit or ban mRNA vaccines could still have harmful effects.
Bills to Weaken School Immunization Requirements
Some states, including Florida, South Carolina, Iowa, Idaho and Ohio, have proposed laws to weaken or remove school vaccine requirements altogether. Florida has said that it plans to end all school vaccination requirements. A bill in Iowa wanted to remove all vaccine requirements for elementary and high school students. Meanwhile, a bill in Ohio suggested allowing more exemptions for preschool vaccines, in addition to the religious and medical exemptions that already exist.
Removing or weakening school vaccine rules is risky. These rules help protect children, families, and communities from serious diseases like whooping cough (pertussis) and measles. Research shows that between 1994 and 2023, routine childhood vaccinations prevented around 508 million illnesses and 1.1 million deaths. However, infants and young children who are too young for certain vaccines are still at risk. People with weakened immune systems, ongoing health problems or other medical reasons that prevent them from getting vaccinated are also at increased risk. When fewer children are vaccinated, diseases can spread more easily, putting everyone at risk, especially those vulnerable populations.
The Lung Association spoke out against Florida’s plan to remove all school vaccine requirements. It also opposed a proposal from the Department of Health to remove several required vaccines for daycare and school-entry, including one for pneumococcal pneumonia. When Florida later held a Special Session on medical freedom in April, the Lung Association worked with other organizations to stop these bills. They strongly pushed against these proposals and, so far, none of these concerning bills have been passed.
How to Protect Your Family in the Future
Looking ahead, the Lung Association remains committed to advocating for access to vaccines and complete school immunization requirements. Join the Lung Association in protecting public health by urging Congress to protect access to vaccines and by joining the Lung Action Network to be alerted if legislation like this is moving in your state.
The Lung Association is working hard to watch these threats and to keep the public’s health protected. Learn more about vaccines at lung.org/vaccines.
Blog last updated: June 8, 2026
