West Virginia is taking a significant step toward changing its vaccination policy in schools. On Friday, state senators approved a bill that would allow families to opt out of mandatory vaccinations for their children if their reasons are based on religious or philosophical beliefs. This move, if passed by the House of Delegates, is expected to receive the signature of Republican Governor Patrick Morrisey, who has positioned religious exemptions as a priority for his administration.
Currently, West Virginia stands out as one of the few states that only permit medical exemptions for vaccinations. While this strict approach has been upheld by medical professionals as a way to protect children’s health, supporters of the new bill argue that it infringes upon the constitutional rights of families, especially regarding education.
Senator Laura Wakim Chapman, a Republican from Ohio County and chair of the Senate’s Health and Human Resources Committee, emphasized on the Senate floor that a child’s right to education should not come at the expense of their religious convictions. She pointed out that West Virginia is one of only five states lacking these exemptions, suggesting that the new law would bring the state in line with the majority.
The proposed legislation allows families to forgo vaccinations by providing a written statement to their child’s school if they have objections rooted in their beliefs. Furthermore, it modifies the process for obtaining medical exemptions, allowing healthcare providers to communicate directly with schools regarding a child’s health needs.
Historically, West Virginia has boasted some of the highest vaccination rates in the nation. Recent statistics from the CDC highlighted that the state had the lowest exemption rate and strong vaccination coverage among kindergarten children. Current law requires students to be vaccinated against several diseases including chickenpox, measles, and polio, but does not mandate COVID-19 vaccinations.
Last year, a similar vaccination exemption bill was vetoed by former Governor Jim Justice, who prioritized the recommendations of health professionals opposing the legislation. However, Governor Morrisey contends that under a 2023 law known as the Equal Protection for Religion Act, there should already be a provision for religious exemptions, arguing that this law has not been properly enforced.
Opponents of this latest bill argue that mandating vaccinations is necessary to safeguard children’s health. They classify the proposed changes as government overreach, especially in regards to regulations affecting religious and private schools. The Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston has stated that, should the exemption become law, it would adhere to its vaccination requirements, emphasizing their right to manage their schools according to their beliefs.
Senator Robbie Morris from Randolph County voiced concerns that the bill might inadvertently limit religious freedom by imposing restrictions on private religious schools regarding vaccination policies. Amending the bill to allow religious institutions to require vaccinations as part of their faith commitments was met with resistance from the Senate.
As the debate continues, the implications of shifting the vaccination policy in West Virginia remain a focal point of public discourse, reflecting ongoing tensions between personal beliefs and public health mandates.
