West Virginia Supreme Court Halts Religious Vaccine Exemptions for Schools

The West Virginia Supreme Court has suspended a ruling that would have allowed religious exemptions to school vaccine requirements. This action immediately reinstates the state's strict policy, which mandates vaccines for all children attending public and private schools. The court's decision pauses a recent lower court order. That order had found the state's removal of religious exemptions unconstitutional. State health and education officials now resume enforcing one of the nation's strictest school immunization laws. West Virginia allows exemptions only for specific medical reasons, verified by a doctor. The case will proceed through further legal arguments. For now, all students must meet vaccination requirements to attend school.