On November 18, 2021, the Florida Department of Health (DOH) announced the availability of new COVID-19 vaccination exemption forms for workers following the recent special legislative session.

Governor Ron DeSantis signed the legislation, which went into effect immediately and protect Floridians from losing their jobs due to the federal COVID-19 vaccine mandates, according to the DOH announcement. The forms to file exemptions can be found on DOH's website at FloridaHealth.gov and on HCAF's vaccine mandate resources webpage.

Private employers are prohibited from mandating COVID-19 vaccines for employees without the opportunity for the employees to obtain an exemption. Florida employees can choose to be exempt from private employer vaccine mandates for:

• Medical Exemption from COVID-19 Vaccination
• Religious Exemption from COVID-19 Vaccination
• Exemption from COVID-19 Vaccination Based on COVID-19 Immunity
• Exemption from COVID-19 Vaccination Based on Periodic Testing
• Exemption from COVID-19 Vaccination Based on Employer-Provided Personal Protective Equipment

Click here to access the press release in full.