CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Gov. Patrick Morrisey’s executive order that has his administration reviewing and allowing religious exemptions to the state’s mandatory school entry vaccination requirements will continue to be used for the foreseeable future.
State School Superintendent Michele Blatt notified county school superintendents Friday evening, “The Governor’s office has informed me that the West Virginia Department of Health will continue to review and grant religious exemptions to compulsory school vaccine requirements, and counties should honor those exemption requests that have been duly granted.”
Blatt rescinded a memo she sent superintendents earlier Friday telling them exemptions would no longer be allowed because state lawmakers did not change the current law.
“While is it our understanding DOHS intends to continue to issue non-enforcement letters under the Governor’s Executive Order to parents seeking religious exemptions, we are faced with the fact that state law has not been changed by the Legislature and there is no religious exemption provided in West Virginia law,” Blatt’s first memo said.
It wasn’t long until Blatt issued a second memo.
“At the Governor’s request, I am rescinding the memo I sent earlier today regarding vaccine exemptions,” she said. “We are working collaboratively with the Governor’s office to issue clear guidance to counties with how to comply with Executive Order 7-25.”
The state Senate passed a vaccination bill earlier this year that would have provided for religious and other exemptions but the House of Delegates defeated the measure. Senate Health Committee Chair Lora Wakim Chapman abandoned plans later in the session to put vaccine exemptions in a previously passed House bill.