Faith
HHS Probes Violation of Religious Vaccine Exemption
Faith Facts
- Federal officials are investigating claims that a Midwestern school ignored a religious exemption and vaccinated a student without parental consent.
- The Department of Health and Human Services stressed all participants in federal vaccine programs must honor state laws protecting religious rights and parental authority.
- HHS has recently increased action regarding violations of religious freedom in healthcare, emphasizing respect for faith-based conscience protections.
The Department of Health and Human Services has launched a probe after a complaint alleged a school administered a vaccine to a student despite a previously submitted religious exemption. The student’s identity and the name of the school remain undisclosed.
The vaccine came through the federal Vaccines for Children program, overseen by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which mandates respect for state exemption laws. HHS’ Office for Civil Rights is tasked with reviewing the incident to determine if those protective regulations were violated.
In a video statement, Secretary Robert F. Kennedy issued a warning.
“When any institution — school or doctor’s office or clinic — disregards religious exemptions, it doesn’t just break trust, it also breaks law,” Kennedy said. “It fractures the sacred bond between families and people entrusted with their children’s care. We are not going to tolerate it.”
Kennedy encouraged parents to learn about their legal rights under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, especially the right to access children’s health records. He emphasized that parents should not face barriers in obtaining these records, ensuring accountability and transparency.
The investigation follows previous HHS actions defending religious freedom, including a 2023 letter reminding vaccine program participants about honoring religious and conscience exemptions, and a warning to West Virginia regarding federal funding and compliance with religious freedom statutes.
Recent disputes over these exemptions have resulted in legal victories for people of faith, including a notable settlement with a Colorado medical school for denying COVID-19 vaccine accommodations on religious grounds. The courts affirmed that denying faith-based exemptions violates First Amendment protections, fortifying the rights of Christian families to nurture children according to their convictions.
Faith, family, and freedom are the cornerstones that guide our nation. Stand with us in prayer and action as we uphold religious liberty for parents across America.