West Virginia Vaccination Debate Continues as Polls Show Support
Polling data reveals continued support for childhood vaccinations in West Virginia as legal challenges to proposed religious exemptions are underway. The controversy centers around whether Governor Patrick Morrisey can implement an executive order that would allow religious exemptions to the state’s compulsory immunization law for school-aged children.
According to the latest findings from the WV MetroNews West Virginia Poll, conducted by Research America, nearly three-quarters of the respondents support the state’s immunization law. The survey, which included 400 participants from all 55 counties between August 8 and August 21, 2023, found that 71% of respondents believe states should require children in grades K-12 to be vaccinated against highly contagious diseases before entering school.
Support for vaccinations spans various demographics, with 74% of parents with school-age children in favor. Additionally, 75% of respondents aged over 55, 65% of registered Republicans, 61% of conservatives, 86% of registered Democrats, 89% of liberals, and 63% of independents expressed their support. The poll has a margin of error of 4.85%.
The findings echo a similar poll conducted by the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce in July 2024, where 86.6% of 600 respondents indicated that vaccines against childhood diseases were a good idea. Among conservatives, 81.6% shared this view.
Legal Challenges Surrounding Religious Exemptions
West Virginia law mandates that children attending school must show proof of immunization for diseases such as diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, and measles unless they have a medical exemption. However, following the signing of an executive order on January 14, 2023, Governor Morrisey cited the 2023 Equal Protection for Religion Act (EPRA) to introduce religious and conscientious objections to these vaccine mandates.
The legality of this executive order is now under scrutiny, with an appeal pending before the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals. Attorneys for the state Board of Education and the Raleigh County Board of Education are seeking a stay of the case currently in the Raleigh County Circuit Court and an expedited hearing to clarify whether EPRA allows for such religious exemptions, as the current law restricts exemptions to medical reasons only.
According to the state Department of Health, over 500 religious exemptions have already been granted for the current academic year.
Immunization Rates in West Virginia
Data compiled by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates that West Virginia has the highest vaccination rate for kindergarteners in the region. During the 2023-24 school year, the vaccination rate for diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTaP) stands at 98.4%, surpassing the national average of 92.3%. The state also reports an impressive 98.3% rate for measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) immunizations, exceeding both regional and national rates. Additionally, West Virginia maintains high rates for polio, hepatitis B, and varicella vaccinations.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the public’s strong support for childhood vaccinations suggests that the majority of West Virginians favor maintaining robust immunization policies in the face of potential exemptions.
