Mississippi Ends Vaccination Exemption for Religious or Philosophical Reasons
In a significant ruling, Mississippi has ended its long-standing refusal to excuse students from getting vaccinated for religious or philosophical reasons. This decision by the state has brought an end to its status as the only state in the country that did not offer non-medical exemptions for vaccinations. However, legal challenges have been filed in five other states, including California, Connecticut, Maine, New York, and West Virginia, with advocates aiming to undo vaccine mandates entirely and reach the Supreme Court.
Religious objections have been raised by some parents due to the use of fetal tissue in the development of vaccines. These concerns have sparked a nationwide debate over vaccine mandates, with advocates wanting to preserve the right to exempt their children and oppose vaccinations on religious grounds.
According to a recent report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), childhood vaccine exemptions in the US have reached a new high. The report reveals that 3% of children entering kindergarten received exemptions, up from 1.6% in the 2011-2012 school year. Idaho has the highest exemption rate at 12.1%, while West Virginia has the lowest rate at less than 0.1%. Mississippi’s exemption rate is also remarkably low, standing at 0.2%.
Despite the increasing number of exemptions, the majority of Americans still believe in the value of childhood vaccines. However, support for parental choice regarding vaccinations has also seen a rise. A recent Pew Research Center survey conducted in March shows that support for parents choosing not to vaccinate their children has increased by 12% in the last four years, reaching a total of 28%.
As the legal battles continue in several states, the debate over vaccine mandates and religious objections shows no signs of abating. With advocates aiming to challenge the measures all the way to the Supreme Court, the issue of vaccination exemptions is likely to remain a prominent topic in the public consciousness.
“Zombie enthusiast. Subtly charming travel practitioner. Webaholic. Internet expert.”