New York Ends Religious Exemptions for Required Vaccines - Should More States?

What's the story?

• New York will no longer allow vaccination exemptions based on religious beliefs.
• Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) signed a bill to end the practice amidst the worst measles outbreak in decades. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently updated this year's nationwide measles count to over 1,000—the highest in 27 years.
• "The science is crystal clear: Vaccines are safe, effective and the best way to keep our children safe," Cuomo said after signing the bill.

"While I understand and respect freedom of religion, our first job is to protect the public health and by signing this measure into law, we will help prevent further transmissions and stop this outbreak right in its tracks."

• New York state Sen. John Liu (D-Queens) told NPR that while he agrees with the idea of removing religious exemptions, he's been contacted by constituents who hold "deep and sincere" religious beliefs who are "absolutely outraged that anyone would suggest that they don't care about the health of their children." 

What are the laws?

• Religious exemptions for vaccines exist in some form in most states. Only California, Mississippi, and Arizona have laws banning exemptions on religious grounds.

Source: Adapted from the LexisNexis StateNet Database and the Immunization Action Coalition, May 2019.

• All 50 states have laws requiring specific vaccines for students.
• All 50 states allow medical exemption to vaccination.
• 16 states allow philosophical exemptions for those who object to immunizations because of personal, moral, or other beliefs. This includes the thoroughly-discredited myth that vaccines cause autism. 

Which states allow nonmedical exemptions?

• Nonmedical exemptions (NMEs) are permitted in Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wisconsin.

What do you think?

Do you support religious exemptions for vaccines? Take action and tell your reps, then share your thoughts below.

—Josh Herman

(Photo Credit: iStock / FatCamera)