West Virginia parent challenges school vaccination mandate in court

In West Virginia, a parent, Miranda Guzman, initiated legal action in May 2025 aimed at obtaining a religious exemption from mandatory school vaccinations for her child. Guzman asserts that the state's vaccine mandate breaches a newly established 2023 law designed to protect individuals' constitutional rights to freedom of religion. This law prohibits the government from imposing significant burdens on religious freedoms unless necessary to pursue a compelling governmental interest. As a result, she is contesting the state's vaccination mandates, which align with long-standing legal requirements set forth in state law requiring various vaccinations for school enrollment. The lawsuit was filed in the Raleigh County Circuit Court, targeting numerous defendants, including the state and local boards of education as well as the county schools superintendent. Recently, a significant shift occurred following a January executive order by West Virginia's Republican Governor Patrick Morrisey that had permitted religious exemptions from vaccine mandates. However, the state's Board of Education subsequently directed public schools to disregard the governor's order, insisting that they adhere to the existing vaccination laws instead. Guzman's actions reflect a broader tension between individual religious rights and public health policy. Compounding this situation, two separate lawsuits have also emerged in response to the governor's executive order, arguing that only the state Legislature has the authority to enact such exemptions. Since Guzman received a religious exemption certificate from the state health department, she registered her child for the 2025-26 school year. Nonetheless, on June 17, she experienced a setback when the Raleigh County school superintendent rescinded this exemption, prompting Guzman to challenge the validity of this action. As the legal proceedings unfold, the West Virginia Board of Education has reiterated its commitment to safeguarding public school students and educators by following existing vaccination laws that are considered critical for protecting children from various diseases. This situation continues to spark discussions about religious freedom, parental rights, and the responsibilities of public schools to ensure the health and safety of the communities they serve. At a press conference, the governor emphasized that the crux of this issue lies in the defense of religious liberty rather than the question of whether or not vaccinations are beneficial for children.