Gov. Jim Justice, who has been swamped with calls and letters about a vaccination exemption bill, says he’ll need up to the last day to decide.
“I’m very, very close to reaching a decision. I understand both sides. I think I understand it really, really well,” Justice said in response to a question by veteran WCHS television reporter Bob Aaron.
“If you’ll just give me till tomorrow — we’re still reviewing certain things, and everything, but you’ll definitely hear from me tomorrow and we’ll get to my decision in regard to this bill.”
Justice’s response in a Tuesday afternoon news briefing made the third briefing in a row that he has described needing more time to decide his action on the vaccination exemption bill.
The governor has until midnight Wednesday to act on the bills passed by the Legislature. Partway through Tuesday, that was about 175 bills awaiting decisions.
“It takes time. It takes time for our folks to get through all these bills, and everything. That’s all there is to it,” Justice said in response to a question by WV News reporter Charles Young. “It’s a process and that’s why we have through tomorrow.”
The governor said, “We’re trying to kick ’em out as fast as we can.”
House Bill 5105 removes vaccination requirements for students in virtual public schools, and it also would allow private and parochial schools to set their own standards.
Lawmakers considered a provision that would have allowed parents to send in a letter citing a religious exemption to vaccination requirements, but that was not in the bill that passed on the final day of the regular legislative session.
Groups representing religious and health freedom interests have pushed for the governor to sign the bill.
Meanwhile, educational and healthcare organizations have banded together to urge a veto.
Twenty-eight organizations sent a joint letter to the governor requesting a veto of the bill. The letter was also published in the Charleston Gazette-Mail on March 15. Many of the organizations also sent individual letters or communication requesting a veto.
As of now, the West Virginia Department of Education boasts that the state has one of the most effective school-entry vaccine preventable laws in the nation: “The vaccination laws have proven to improve attendance rates for students and staff while ensuring children stay healthy, safe, and ready to learn.”
West Virginia students entering school for the first time must show proof of immunization against diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella, and hepatitis B unless properly medically exempted.
Measles has seen a resurgence in the news recently. The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention has reported that the number of measles cases in the first three months of this year has already surpassed all of last year.
Cases have been reported in Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York City, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Washington.
The organizations urging Justice to veto the vaccination exemptions bill have pointed to West Virginia’s rigorous standards and the recent outbreaks.
“I would urge you to veto this bill as it is bad medicine and bad economics. The immunizations that are referenced in this bill have been around for over half of a century and have very well-known safety profiles and prevent quite serious diseases,” wrote Suzanne Gharib, president of the West Virginia Rheumatology Society
“We no longer see the polio wards of the past because of these immunizations. Please, let West Virginia take steps forward not backward in the healthcare space. We are a national leader in immunization law. Please, let us strive to remain this way.”
Kanawha County Commissioner Kent Carper released a statement urging a veto and suggesting other political figures express their own support for a veto.
“I understand the importance of Governor Justice taking his time to review this bill in its entirety before making his final decision. By vetoing this bill, the Governor will take a strong stance to show the importance of protecting our vulnerable populations, including young children and seniors,” Carper stated.