Did You Know? 50-48-19 Vaccine Exemptions

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While all 50 states and the District of Columbia allow medical exemptions to vaccination, only two — West Virginia and Mississippi — stop there. Indeed, 48 states allow nonmedical exemptions based on religious beliefs (see “Spotlight” section of this newsletter for more information on religious beliefs and vaccines), and currently, at least 19 states allow people to forego vaccine requirements based on personal or philosophical beliefs. To see how your state compares, visit the Immunization Action Coalition website:

State exemption policies
Vaccine-specific mandates

Materials in this section are updated as new information and vaccines become available. The Vaccine Education Center staff regularly reviews materials for accuracy.

You should not consider the information in this site to be specific, professional medical advice for your personal health or for your family's personal health. You should not use it to replace any relationship with a physician or other qualified healthcare professional. For medical concerns, including decisions about vaccinations, medications and other treatments, you should always consult your physician or, in serious cases, seek immediate assistance from emergency personnel.