CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The W.Va. Senate is expected to vote on whether or not to approve a broad expansion of exemptions for mandatory childhood immunizations Friday.
Senate Bill 460, introduced on behalf of Gov. Patrick Morrisey (R-W.Va.,) looks to amend state code to end vaccine requirements to attend school or school sanctioned activities. If made law, the bill would allow exemptions if a parent, guardian or emancipated child tells their school administrator in writing “that the mandatory vaccination requirements…cannot be met because it conflicts with the religious or philosophical beliefs of the parents, legal guardians, or emancipated child.”
The state has mandated childhood immunizations in some form since 1937, now including those against chickenpox, hepatitis-b, measles, meningitis, mumps, diphtheria, polio, rubella, tetanus, and whooping cough. Last year, then-Governor Jim Justice (R-W.Va.) vetoed similar legislation which would have removed vaccination requirements for students in virtual public schools, and allow private and parochial schools to set their own vaccine standards.
It’s an issue that continues to divide W.Va. Republicans, including lawmakers in our region. Sen. Rollan Roberts (R-Raleigh) acknowledged the split on Thursday. “There’s a lot of fears, people have taken sides. Very emotional about it,” said Roberts. “That’s unfortunate but I think it’s a good move.”
Roberts’ Southern W.Va. colleague feels differently about the bill, sharing that life experience led him to oppose it. “Public health sometimes outweighs some generalized freedoms,” said Sen. Jack David Woodrum (R-Summers.) “I grew up with people around me that had polio…my father was a physician, mother was a nurse…these things are more personal to me maybe more than they are to other people here.”
Woodrum went on to explain that he does empathize with some West Virginians’ vaccine hesitancy. “Vaccine manufacturers have blanket immunity, so there’s maybe no incentive for them to be as concerned about vaccine injuries as they could be,” said Woodrum. “I can’t really speak for the industry, but you know, you have concerns.” But at the end of the day, the Senator’s public health concerns prevail. “My fear is when you loosen these vaccine restrictions, you’ve got a lot of people that aren’t opposed to them but they’re deciding not to get them now,” said Woodrum. “In six years, ten years, we’re going to see the effects of the legislation we’re passing here.”
Meanwhile Roberts shared his excitement for unvaccinated students in the state, whom he expects will soon be allowed to take part in a much wider range of activities alongside their vaccinated peers. “For the people that it effects, it’s greatly desirous that the bill pass. Because we have a group of people that have been locked out of public education and even private education, they can’t go to private schools,” said Roberts. “I think it’s practical and I don’t think we’ll have all these massive outbreaks.”
Senate Bill 460 is set for a full Senate vote at 10:00 a.m. Friday.
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