Several advocacy groups have filed a lawsuit against a recent executive order by the governor of West Virginia that allows religious exemptions for school-required vaccinations. The plaintiffs argue that the order undermines public health protections and violates established state laws mandating immunizations for schoolchildren.
The lawsuit contends that the executive order could lead to decreased vaccination rates, increasing the risk of outbreaks of preventable diseases. The groups also claim that the order conflicts with long-standing state policies designed to protect students and communities by ensuring high levels of immunization.
The case highlights ongoing tensions between public health mandates and individual religious freedoms, with legal experts anticipating a potentially significant ruling on how states balance those competing interests.