Pinellas County Schools may soon face state-level changes to vaccine mandates, raising concerns over student health. While a full repeal of vaccination requirements – requirements that Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo has likened to “slavery” – has not been finalized, students are still required to be immunized, with allowances for exemption. During the Sept. 9 board meeting, Superintendent of Pinellas County Schools, Kevin Hendrick, said, “The School Board has no authority to approve or not approve vaccines; we follow the law, in this case.” Advocates on both sides are expected at the Sept. 24 legislative delegation meeting.