CHARLESTON, WV (LOOTPRESS) – UPDATE 5/2/25 7:53 PM: Just hours after issuing guidance that would have required all West Virginia students to meet school immunization mandates without exception, State Superintendent of Schools Michele Blatt has rescinded that directive at the request of Governor Patrick Morrisey.
In an evening email to county superintendents, Blatt confirmed she is withdrawing the earlier memo regarding vaccine exemptions.
The reversal comes as the Governor’s Office and the Department of Health and Human Services reaffirm their commitment to honoring religious exemptions to school vaccine requirements under Executive Order 7-25.
“The Governor’s office has informed me that the West Virginia Department of Health will continue to review and grant religious exemptions,” Blatt wrote, adding that counties should respect those exemption requests that have been officially approved.
The initial guidance, sent earlier Friday, had stated that religious exemptions were not supported under current state law, citing the Legislature’s failure to pass new legislation on the matter.
That memo instructed counties to prepare for the 2025–2026 school year with no exemptions permitted unless immunization requirements were met.
Now, the Department of Education will work with the Governor’s Office to develop unified, statewide guidance on how schools should comply with the Executive Order while honoring valid religious exemptions.
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ORIGINAL STORY: The West Virginia Department of Education has issued updated guidance to county school systems regarding required immunizations for student entry, following the close of the 2025 Legislative session.
In a memorandum sent to county superintendents, State Superintendent of Schools Michele L. Blatt addressed confusion surrounding religious exemptions for vaccinations.
Although efforts were made during the legislative session to amend state law to allow religious exemptions for school immunizations, the legislation ultimately did not pass.
Governor Patrick Morrisey previously issued Executive Order No. 7-25, allowing the Department of Health and Human Services (DOHS) Immunization Office to issue letters indicating parents’ intentions to seek religious exemptions.
However, Blatt says that with no change in state law, there is still no legal basis for such exemptions in West Virginia.
Superintendent Blatt clarified that students already enrolled with a DOHS exemption letter before May 1, 2025, will be permitted to finish the current school year.
However, parents of those students will be notified that immunizations will be required for attendance starting in the fall of 2025.
Blatt also emphasized that for upcoming Pre-K and Kindergarten registrations, parents must follow the current legal requirements under West Virginia Code § 16-3-4, which mandates immunizations for school entry.
