In Panama City on Friday, state officials heard arguments for and against potential revisions to Florida Administrative Code Rule 64D-3.046.

Proposed changes, which are backed by Gov. Ron DeSantis and Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo, include expanding opt-out provisions to include religious exemptions for personal and philosophical reasons, and removal of requirements to vaccinate for Varicella (chickenpox), Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), and Hepatitis B (Hep B) for schools as well as Pneumococcal conjugate (PCV15/20) for day care students.

Arguments abounded both to eliminate mandates and to protect the current requirements.

Susan Sweetin of the National Vaccine Information Center, appearing in her personal capacity, fought back tears as she said she was coerced into having her son get the Hep B vaccine, or else his pediatrician wouldn’t see him.

Cynthia Smith, a nurse, said she suffered hearing loss from childhood vaccines that impacted her work in school as a child and now in professional environments.

“This is not about being anti-medicine,” Smith said, arguing for “medical freedom.”

Larry Downs Jr. argued against MMR vaccines, saying that there’s no “measles outbreak” in America, as he said people don’t need a “permission slip from Big Daddy Government” to shun shots.

“What about the measles outbreak? How many (outbreaks) come from these shots from these injections? This is nonsense. The default setting should be freedom. You should not have to get a religious or personal objection,” Downs said.

Rick Frey attributed two of his child relatives’ “non-verbal” states to vaccines before attacking pediatricians.

“It’s obviously about freedom, but it’s also about the children that these pediatricians damage because they get paid to vaccinate these kids. And they’re here being paid, and they’re here to ensure that they’ll still make their money to get their bonus, to do this stuff. It’s just wrong on so many levels, and the smug way that they sit back there and act like they’re above all of us makes me want to throw up, to be honest with you,” Frey said.

Michelle Posey, a School Board candidate in Sarasota who also leads the local Turning Point USA chapter, said she didn’t want either side “demonizing” the other before expressing her own concerns.

“I have never, in my life, known of a product that is both safe and effective, and a miracle worker, and yet it requires a marketing campaign, a marketing blitz, immunity for those that build it, and some kind of incentive for those who inject it,” Posey said, arguing against mandates.

Dr. Frederick S Southwick, an Infectious Disease Specialist with decades of experience, spoke to the impact of bacterial meningitis.

“If you are ending that vaccine, it’s going to cause tremendous damage and cost the state $50 to $80 million,” he said.

Danielle Carter, the President of the Florida Academy of Family Physicians, argued that scientific evidence didn’t support the removal of vaccines, that they have reduced infections while facilitating “herd immunity.”

Joseph Harmon, representing the Conference of Catholic Bishops, criticized the proposed rule as “an improper expansion of what’s allowed by statute” and advocated no change.

Lewis Jennings spoke for NAACP chapters around the state when he condemned the proposal as a “direct threat to public health, equity, and civil rights.”

Jamie Schanbaum, who survived meningitis, described the consequences of the disease over the last 17 years since she had it.

“I’ve accumulated millions of dollars in hospital bills, months of physical therapy, and occupational therapy, not to mention I had my leg re-amputated last year. That was a good time. How about re-learning to use my hands, feed myself, wipe myself? This is the reality of what it’s like to survive something like this. And if I want to go and do any sport, I have to pay $30,000 just for the legs.”

The Florida Board of Governors on Friday unanimously confirmed Moez Limayem as the University of South Florida’s (USF) ninth President.

Limayem served as the Lynn Pippenger Dean of the Muma College of Business at USF for 10 years before becoming President of the University of North Florida (UNF) in 2022. He was named the sole finalist for the job in September and won unanimous approval from the USF Board of Trustees in October. His confirmation now ensures his return to the University in early 2026.

“I am so energized, humbled, honored and excited by the biggest professional honor in my life,” Limayem said in a video posted on X. I would like to take this opportunity to thank our Board of Trustees, our Board of Governors, our amazing faculty, staff and students, and all my friends in the Tampa Bay community. I cannot wait to work with all of you to take this University to the highest possible level. And, as always, Go Bulls.”

Limayem’s time at UNF included significant enrollment gains, a record first-year retention rate, and job placement outcomes that rank among the best in the state. UNF welcomed the largest incoming class in its history this Fall and reached its highest total enrollment since the school opened in 1972.

Florida Trend also recognized him, as well as the Jacksonville Business Journal and the National Academy of Inventors; Limayem was recently inducted into the First Coast Business Hall of Fame.

“Together, we will write the University of South Florida’s next chapter as a national model of excellence that transforms lives and strengthens Florida’s intellectual, economic and civic landscapes,” Limayem said in a statement. “I am also deeply appreciative of President Rhea Law’s commitment to elevating USF academically and reputationally. Her impact has strengthened this institution and positioned us for continued excellence.”

Before joining UNF, Limayem oversaw significant fundraising successes at USF. He secured more than $126 million in private donations, including a $25 million gift from Pam and Les Muma in 2014 that at the time was the largest individual donation in school history.

Earlier in his career, Limayem served as associate dean for research and graduate programs at the University of Arkansas’ Sam M. Walton College of Business and held the Edwin and Karlee Bradberry Chair in information systems. He earned his MBA and doctorate from the University of Minnesota.

His wife, Alya, is a UNF biology faculty member and a researcher who holds multiple U.S. patents. She was named a Senior Member of the National Academy of Inventors last year and recognized as a 2024 Rising Star of the Academy of Science, Engineering and Medicine of Florida. The couple has two children.

“Moez Limayem has an extensive record of academic and executive leadership in higher education,” Board of Governors Chair Brian Lamb said. “USF’s recognition as an AAU institution and continuous climb in national rankings underscores their commitment to improving student outcomes and advancing workforce development in Florida. President Limayem will drive this momentum forward with strong stewardship and vision.”

Other Board members voiced similar support during Friday’s meeting. 

“I’ve been close to him with his efforts at UNF and working with him very closely,” Board member Aubrey Edge said. “He’s a wonderful selection, and he’ll do a great job, and I couldn’t congratulate him more.”

Board member Ken Jones echoed the sentiment.

“Just an outstanding leader,” Jones said. “Moez is going to stand on the shoulders of great people and also do great things and I’m excited to work with him.”