St. Clair County's Public Health Shift Sparks Debate Over Fluoride, Vaccines, and School Clinics

County medical director Dr. Remington Nevin's recommendations have led to changes that have drawn objections from doctors, dentists, and other health professionals.

Mar. 11, 2026 at 6:20pm

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St. Clair County, Michigan is amid a contentious debate over public health policies under the leadership of county medical director Dr. Remington Nevin. Nevin has sought to prohibit fluoride in drinking water, make it easier to opt out of children's vaccines, remove health care services from school clinics, and push a county ordinance declaring solar farms a possible 'threat to public health.' These actions have sparked objections from doctors, dentists, and other health professionals, who argue Nevin's policies are a threat to the county's wellbeing and represent a 'MAGA agenda' that moves away from science-backed research. However, some residents see Nevin as a 'breath of fresh air' for questioning the status quo.

Why it matters

The debate in St. Clair County highlights growing tensions between public health officials and some community members over the role of government in healthcare decisions. Nevin's actions, which he says reflect the values of the county, have led to the dismantling of long-standing school-based health clinics and raised concerns about declining childhood vaccination rates. The situation underscores the broader political divides emerging around issues like fluoride, vaccines, and the influence of the pharmaceutical industry on public health policy.

The details

Under Nevin's leadership, St. Clair County has sought to prohibit fluoride in drinking water, made it easier for parents to opt out of children's routine vaccinations, and removed health care services from school-based clinics. These changes have drawn objections from doctors, dentists, and other health professionals who argue the policies are a threat to public health. Nevin has promoted the individualized decision-making for immunization championed by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., whom he has called a 'brilliant attorney and fitting heir to the Kennedy legacy.' Critics worry the county's weakening stance on immunization has made it harder for residents to get vaccinated. The winding down of school-based health clinics, which had provided comprehensive care to students, has also sparked concerns about reduced access to healthcare, especially in rural areas.

  • In June 2025, Nevin first suggested prohibiting fluoride in municipal water systems.
  • In February 2026, Nevin moved to streamline parents' ability to skip their children's routine vaccines.

The players

Dr. Remington Nevin

The county medical director in St. Clair County, Michigan, who has pushed for changes to public health policies that have drawn objections from doctors and health professionals.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

An attorney who has championed individualized decision-making for immunization, and whom Nevin has called a 'brilliant attorney and fitting heir to the Kennedy legacy.'

Kevin Watkins

The president of the Port Huron branch of the NAACP, who sees Nevin's actions as tantamount to enacting a local 'MAGA agenda.'

Andrew Eberly

A resident who thanked Nevin for providing a letter exempting his child from immunizations, saying his trust in health departments 'eroded' after his child was removed from a neighboring school district for refusing to participate in a state-mandated education session required to obtain a vaccine waiver.

Rebecca Campau

A 13-year county employee who says public health workers had operated 'behind the scenes' until Nevin's recommendations and the support he's received from county officials turned normally staid public hearings into impassioned debates.

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What they’re saying

“Medical directors are to appropriately advise and direct on all matters of public health policy, ideally in a manner that reflects the values and priorities of the communities that they serve.”

— Dr. Remington Nevin, County Medical Director

“They're anti-vaccine. They're anti-public health.”

— Kevin Watkins, President, Port Huron NAACP

“It doesn't matter what we say, or the volume of people that are educated that are bringing resources are saying. There's always misinformation in the world, no matter where you go and what community you live in.”

— Dr. Randa Jundi-Samman, Retired Port Huron Dentist

“We have this blind faith that the medical establishment – they have our best interest in mind. But unfortunately at my age, I realize that money has an impact on people's decisions.”

— David Allison, Retired Engineer

“These people are vulnerable. I'm speaking with my feelings, and that's all I can do.”

— Emrick LaTulip

What’s next

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The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.