W.Va. Gov. Jim Justice vetoes vaccine exemption bill – WCHS

W.Va. Gov. Jim Justice vetoes vaccine exemption bill

Organizations who put forth a petition for the veto that garnered more than 3,600 signatures. (WCHS){p}{/p}

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WCHS)

West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice said it was the "overwhelming" opposition from medical professionals that convinced him to veto the controversial vaccine exemption bill Wednesday.

House Bill 5105, a bill passed both the House and Senate in the 2024 regular session, would have allowed private and parochial schools to create their own vaccine policies. It also would have exempted public virtual school students from state requirements for childhood immunizations.

Hours before the midnight deadline on Wednesday, Justice announced his veto.

"The overwhelming majority that have voiced their opinion believe that this legislation will do irreparable harm by crippling childhood immunity to diseases such as mumps and measles," Justice said in a statement. "West Virginia historically has seen very few instances of these diseases, specifically because the vaccination requirements in this state are so strong."

Justice received a wave of opposition to the bill including a petition that was delivered to him last week by several medical and educational groups that had more than 3,600 signatures.

Tiffany Gale heads the West Virginia Women's Alliance, which was one of the organizations who signed on.

"While yes, we absolutely support personal freedom, when that freedom can harm others especially young children, we really have to take into consideration the effect that it's going to have," Gale said.

Dr. Lisa Costello, a pediatrician in Morgantown and the immediate past president of the West Virginia Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, praised the governor's veto Wednesday evening.

"As a pediatrician and a mother of a toddler who is going to be starting Catholic school this fall, I am so grateful that Gov. Justice vetoed House Bill 5105 because that means that our communities and children will be protected and we will able to remain a national leader in school immunization policies," Costello said.

Those who supported the bill, including the majority of senators and delegates and groups such as West Virginians for Health Freedom, argued that this was a matter of parental rights and freedom. West Virginians for Health Freedom sent in a letter to the governor to urge support.

In his release, Justice said he understood all opinions but must side with the medical experts on this.

West Virginia is way ahead of the pack in protecting our children from preventable diseases like the measles, and in this matter, I will defer to our licensed medical professionals who have come forward overwhelmingly to say this bill could and likely would result in reduced immunity and harm to West Virginias kids," he said.

The Legislature does have the power to override a veto, but House of Delegates spokesperson Ann Ali said once they adjourn the regular session, both bodies are limited on what they can do. Even if they are called back in for a special session, lawmakers would only be able to take up what is on the governor's call list.

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W.Va. Gov. Jim Justice vetoes vaccine exemption bill - WCHS