Sen. Roger Marshall (R-KS) told NewsNation’s On Balance Wednesday that Florida ending all vaccine mandates is “a bridge too far” and an “overreaction” driven by distrust of the CDC.
“I think that’s a bridge way too far,” said Marshall. “But I think this is an overreaction, because people don’t trust what the CDC has been telling them.”
Marshall then explained he thinks the Hepatitis vaccine doesn’t need to be used as often as it is, but raised an issue with other vaccines under the new guidelines.
“MMR makes perfect sense to me,” said Marshall. “You don’t give it until 1 year of age. The chances of dying from the measles is like 1,000 times more than the chance of a significant side effect from the vaccine.”
“I’m grateful for the vaccines,” added Marshall. “They have saved millions of lives. I think about the smallpox vaccine and polio vaccine, as well.”
Marshall then advocated for vaccines against polio: “Polio vaccines, I’m absolutely in favor of, just 110%. I’m proud that there’s no polio in America right now. There [are] only three nations in the world with polio, as well. That would be another example of a drug that’s been around for decades, and, by far, the benefits outweigh the risk.”
Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo, alongside Governor Ron DeSantis, announced plans to eliminate all state vaccine mandates, including those for schoolchildren, making Florida the first U.S. state to take such a step. The move, which Ladapo called a stand against “immoral” mandates, has sparked criticism from public health experts who warn it could lead to outbreaks of preventable diseases like measles and polio.
While some mandates can be repealed by the state health department, others will require action from Florida’s Republican-led legislature, with no specific timeline provided.
Despite his criticisms of Florida’s recent decision, he railed against the pharmaceutical companies in a hearing with Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. about the number of vaccines children are forced to take before they even reach the age of 18.
U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall (R-KS), a physician, speaks out against the hepatitis B vaccine. He says he “doesn’t see the benefit” in it if there isn’t hepatitis in the family.
Every unvaccinated person has some risk for hepatitis, according to the Hepatitis B Foundation. pic.twitter.com/J76oqfmJEh
— Heartland Signal (@HeartlandSignal) September 4, 2025
BREAKING: Florida makes major announcement on vaccine mandates
