Midterm races in Iowa, Florida and others could shape US vaccine policy

Vaccine policy has emerged as a prominent issue in the lead‑up to the November midterms, spurred by the president and health secretary’s skeptical stance.

In Iowa, the Republican candidate for governor is calling for an end to all school vaccine requirements. In Florida, the Republican gubernatorial hopeful has voiced support for rolling back certain school vaccine mandates, while a Republican Senate candidate in Texas, a former state attorney general, spent recent years probing financial ties linked to vaccine recommendations.

Democratic contenders in Michigan and South Carolina are positioning themselves to challenge the vaccine‑skeptical agenda and to hold figures such as RFK Jr. accountable.

The broader backdrop includes the Trump administration’s push for greater state latitude and the “Make America Healthy Again” message promoted by RFK Jr., which emphasizes medical freedom and opposes vaccine mandates.