Saturday, November 07, 2009

Required Immunization of School Children Does Not Infringe Free Exercise

In Workman v. Mingo County Schools, (SD WV, Nov. 3, 2009), a West Virginia federal district court upheld West Virginia's compulsory vaccination program for school children. In the case, a mother of two school-age children asserted free exercise, equal protection and due process challenges. The court concluded that the free exercise clause does not require states to provide a religious exemption form the immunization requirements.