A coalition of advocacy groups has filed a lawsuit challenging an executive order by West Virginia Governor Jim Justice that seeks to allow religious exemptions for mandatory school vaccinations. The lawsuit, filed this week in federal court, argues that the governor’s order undermines public health and violates the state’s long-standing commitment to protecting students through rigorous immunization requirements.
West Virginia is one of a small number of states with no non-medical exemptions for school vaccinations — a policy that has been widely credited with maintaining high immunization rates and limiting outbreaks of preventable diseases. Governor Justice’s recent executive order, however, calls for the inclusion of religious exemptions, igniting fierce legal and public backlash.
The lawsuit was filed by a consortium of public health organizations, parents, and education advocates who warn that introducing religious exemptions would erode hard-won protections in school environments and put vulnerable children at risk.
“Governor Justice’s order threatens decades of progress in protecting West Virginia children from serious, preventable illnesses,” said a spokesperson for the coalition. “This lawsuit is about defending science-based public policy and the health of our communities.”
The groups argue that the executive order contradicts existing state law and bypasses the legislative process, violating constitutional principles of separation of powers. They are seeking an injunction to block the order from being implemented.
Governor Justice, defending the move, has stated that his intent is to respect religious freedoms while still promoting public health. “We believe in vaccines, but we also believe in the Constitution and protecting people’s religious beliefs,” he said during a recent press conference. The governor emphasized that the order is about offering choice — not eliminating vaccination requirements.
However, public health experts and pediatricians remain deeply concerned. West Virginia has traditionally ranked among the top U.S. states for vaccination compliance due to its strict mandates, which do not currently allow for religious or philosophical opt-outs.
Medical professionals warn that loosening these requirements, even slightly, could lead to decreased vaccination rates and the return of illnesses like measles and whooping cough in school populations.
This legal challenge is expected to set the stage for a high-profile court battle over the intersection of public health, religious liberty, and state authority. The outcome could have implications not just for West Virginia, but for other states where similar debates are unfolding.
As the case proceeds, school officials across the state are watching closely, with many concerned about how the order — and potential litigation outcomes — could affect student enrollment policies and health guidelines for the upcoming school year.
Source : Swifteradio.com
