Despite lengthy debates and procedural maneuvering, the West Virginia Legislature did not pass a bill to allow religious and philosophical exemptions to school entry vaccines like measles, mumps, rubella and polio.
But Friday morning Gov. Patrick Morrisey published a letter ensuring an executive order he issued on vaccine exemptions will not be rescinded and providing guidance to parents, students, and school officials. In signing executive order 7-25 on the first day of his administration back in January, Morrisey said it utilizes the Equal Protection for Religion Act (EPRA), 2023 legislation forbidding excessive government limitations on the exercise of religion.
The letter details how families seeking a religious or philosophical exemption can apply to the Bureau for Public Health.
It also states that despite the executive order being directed at the Bureau, school officials are expected to comply or face legal action under the EPRA.
“I am calling on the state superintendent of schools and the county boards of education in this state to work with the Bureau for Public Health to ensure that religious rights of students are protected,” Morrisey said in a press release. “Students will not be denied access to public education because of their religious objections to compulsory vaccination.”
The letter comes after state Superintendent Michele Blatt issued a memo last week stating that religious exemptions would not be allowed in the fall, only to rescind that memo hours later at the governor’s request.
Morrisey said exemptions will be granted on a school year basis. He advised parents who have received an exemption during the 2024-2025 school year to renew their request for an exemption for the 2025-2026 school year so that the Bureau for Public Health, state Board of Education, and county schools can maintain an accurate record of the exempt students for each school year.
Friday afternoon the West Virginia Democratic Party issued a condemnation of the governor’s directive, calling it “irresponsible and politically motivated.”
They criticized Morrisey for defying the legislature’s decision to not approve vaccine exemptions, and claimed no mainstream religious faith requires the refusal of vaccines.
“Let’s be clear: No religion demands its followers put themselves and others at risk by avoiding necessary, life-saving immunizations,” West Virginia Democratic Party Chair Del. Mike Pushkin, D-Kanawha, said.
