The American Academy of Pediatrics supports the elimination of childhood vaccine exemptions, except for medical reasons.

In many states, public and private schools serving kids in kindergarten through 12th grade also allow exemptions based on personal beliefs or philosophies, which generally allow parents to opt out of vaccines simply because they oppose them. Schools, employers and higher education institutions with vaccination mandates typically permit exemptions based on religion or medical reasons. Four years earlier, 1.1% of kindergarteners did. SeptemReligious exemptions and required vaccines: Examining the researchīy Denise-Marie Ordway, The Journalist's Resource September 29, 2021Įven as national surveys show Americans drawing away from religion, more American children are using religion to skip required school vaccinations. Įven before some California school districts ordered students in certain age groups to get immunized against COVID-19, research showed the percentage of kindergarteners whose parents claim vaccines conflict with their religious beliefs was on the rise.Ī December 2019 analysis published in Pediatrics finds an estimated 1.7% of kindergarteners nationwide received religious exemptions to vaccination during the 2017-18 academic year.

Religious exemptions and required vaccines: Examining the researchīy Denise-Marie Ordway, The Journalist's Resource

Religious exemption vaccine letter