House and Senate Republicans are expected to introduce legislation that would provide exemptions to West Virginia’s strict school vaccination laws. (Pedro Vilela | Getty Images)

Republican lawmakers say they are once again introducing exemptions to the state’s strict school vaccine laws. They expect the measures to be easier next year because of the change in the makeup of the Legislature and the arrival of a new governor.

House and Senate Republicans will introduce a bill that would allow families to receive a religious exemption for vaccinations, lawmakers say. A separate expected measure would allow private schools to bypass the state’s strict vaccination laws.

The House passed last year a measure this would have given private schools autonomy over their vaccination policies. Gov. Jim Justice, a Republican, vetoed the bill, citing concerns about “crippling childhood immunity” in his decision.

Rep. Chris Phillips, R-Barbour, says he expects similar, if not more sweeping, vaccination exemption legislation to pass. House with a strong Republican component in 2025.

“Compulsory vaccinations in a compulsory location “education poses a very significant barrier for people concerned about their personal freedom,” he said.

He co-sponsored the vaccination exemption bill earlier this year.

“We were able to get this out of the House pretty easily, and I think that would be the case this year,” Philips said. “Some people who fought so hard to get their veto may regret this decision when a broader bill passes.”

The Senate will lose one of its most important members staunch vaccine advocatesSen. Mike Maroney, R-Marshall, a physician who doesn’t come back. Sen. Tom Takubo, R-Kanawha, is a physician and vice chairman of the Senate Health Committee, which reduced the vaccine exemption bill apply only to private schools; he is now a leading competitor to be the next President of the Senate. Takubo did not respond to a request for comment for this story.

Sen. Mike Oliverio, Republican of Monongalia, said if Takubo becomes Senate president, he expects a vaccination exemption bill to be considered.

“I know that Senator Takubo has made it clear that if the majority of the caucus wants to do something, then he will ask the President to put it on the agenda. We work in a democratic process,” Oliverio said.

Dr. Lisa Costello, a pediatrician and assistant professor at WVU Medicine, defended the state’s “nation-leading” vaccination laws. She spoke out against this year’s vaccination exemption bill and plans to continue educating lawmakers on the importance of vaccines as one of the most cost-effective interventions to save lives.

Costello said she remains grateful — both as a parent and a pediatrician — that Justice vetoed this year’s vaccination exemption bill.

“I said it at the time, and I say it again, that it is important that we do not become complacent and that we do not take for granted the strong vaccination policy that we have here,” he said. she declared.

In April, a Monongalia County resident who had recently traveled internationally contracted measles — the first case of illness reported in the state in 15 years. The county health officer credited the the region’s high vaccination rate as the reason the highly contagious disease has not spread to others.

Del. Anitra Hamilton, D-Monongalia, is a nurse who voted against this year’s vaccination exemption. She noted that doctors from West Virginia University and Marshall University have spoken out against the bill.

“I think we should follow this advice. I know that, and I just hope other lawmakers do the same,” she said. “I will never support that… This is a public safety issue.

Expected religious exemption measure, Morrisey supports it

All states require school children to be vaccinated against certain contagious diseases, including measles, mumps, whooping cough, and polio. In West Virginia, students start school for the first time must show proof of being vaccinated against diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, chickenpox and hepatitis B. The state only allows medical exemptions from the requirements.

“West Virginia is considered a leader in this area. … As a result, West Virginia, since 2017, has seen child school entry vaccination rates of over 95% due to this strong policy,” Costello said. “This not only protects children in schools, but also our community, especially those who are most vulnerable. »

West Virginia is one of the only five states it does not allow religious or philosophical exemptions from these requirements.

Governor-elect Patrick Morriseya Republican, said during his election campaign that he would like to see a religious exemption take effect during his term.

“One of the strongest elements of our Constitution is the ability of families and citizens to freely practice the religion of their choice,” Morrisey said during his speech. the gubernatorial debate in October “So West Virginia is currently an exception in that regard. This does not recognize, at a minimum, a religious exception… I will ensure that this provision changes when I am governor.

Sen. Laura Wakim Chapman, R-Ohio, said she expected a religious exemption measure in the Senate and would sponsor one if necessary.

“There are genuine religious beliefs against vaccination, and it is not right to deny a child (their) education because there are genuine religious beliefs against vaccines,” she said, adding that she expected the measure to pass the Senate.

Chapman cited his region’s strong religious ties as well as the state’s support for anti-abortion politicians as reasons for supporting a religious exemption. “The way these vaccines are derived, they come from aborted fetal cells, so we are a pro-life state. »

According to Costello, a subset of vaccines is made from human fetal cells dating back to the 1960s. The cells are replicated to develop vaccines that protect against diseases like rubella, hepatitis A and rabies, he said. -she declared. The vaccines themselves do not contain fetal cells, she said.

“As a Catholic, I appreciate that religious leaders of major religions have evaluated the use of these cells in vaccine manufacturing and determined that not only is it not a sin to accept vaccines made in this way ” Costello said, “but it is morally important that people who are able to get vaccinated do so to protect children, our neighbors, our communities and vulnerable people like those who are pregnant.

Some Republicans joined Democrats in voting against changing vaccine laws

In the House, Phillips said he would again co-sponsor legislation similar to this year’s vaccination exemption bill.

“It’s a tough question, and it’s personal for me and for a lot of people,” he said. “I try to be reasonable and consider everything from all aspects. In the United States, “big pharma” has incredible influence.”

He continued: “As lawmakers, we have a duty to do our due diligence and make our best-informed choice. We also have a duty to represent the views of those who put us there, and the impact of compulsory vaccination is quite clear.”

Democrats in the House and Senate voted against this year’s vaccination exemption bill.

Hamilton, who serves on the House Health Committee, cited the state’s poor health outcomes as a reason to vote against the measure. “We are not in a healthy state – this goes for adults as well as children. Any weakening of these laws is a disaster waiting to happen,” she said. “Sometimes it can take a generation or two for it to take effect. »

The number of Democratic lawmakers will decline next year, but some Republicans may join them in opposition.

Oliverio was one of nine senators who voted against the vaccination exemption measure.

“I tend to think that West Virginia is well served by its current policies, and when representing my district, the largest concentration of health care workers in West Virginia, I heard clearly from them that they wanted to keep the policy as it is,” he said. said.

SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE