Fifteen states allow personal belief exemptions, also called a philosophical exemption, to getting vaccinated to attend daycare and school.

Personal Belief Exemptions to Vaccines

In many other states, a religious exemption can be used, or abused, as a personal belief exemption.

Only five states, California, Maine, Mississippi, New York, and West Virginia, do not allow non-medical exemptions to vaccines.

These exemptions are for state vaccine mandates to attend school and daycare.

What is a personal belief or philosophical exemption?

Does it have to do with the strength of your convictions?

Usually not. In Texas, for example, parents can “choose an exemption from immunization requirements for reasons of conscience,” but they don’t have to list any of those reasons.

More on Personal Belief Exemptions to Vaccines

• The History of Vaccine Exemptions
• A Legislative Guide to Advocating for Stronger Vaccine Laws
• How to Claim a Vaccine Exemption
• Does the CDC Determine Medical Exemptions for Vaccines?
• Who Should Write Your Child’s Medical Exemption for Vaccines?
• School Exemption Laws by State
• States With Religious and Philosophical Exemptions From School Immunization Requirements
• The problem of nonmedical exemptions to school vaccine mandates
• Personal Belief Exemptions for Vaccines
• The Impact of Personal Belief Exemption Policies
• Non-Medical Vaccine Exemptions: Balancing Parental Rights and Public Health
• A review of religion and vaccinations
• Exemption Abuse – Too many kindergarteners aren’t getting vaccinated.
• Religious exemptions for vaccination – abuse and reform
• Religious Exemptions to Vaccine Mandates and the Law
• Do parents misuse religious exemptions to excuse kids from vaccines?
• CDC – SchoolVaxView School Vaccination Requirements and Exemptions Tool

Last Updated on August 24, 2019

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