This bill amends the Code of West Virginia to establish that vaccinations for school children, adolescents, and adults are voluntary, effectively eliminating all compulsory immunization requirements. It removes the mandates that previously required immunizations against diseases such as chickenpox, hepatitis B, measles, and others for school enrollment, attendance, or employment. The bill also stipulates that parents of newborns may request immunization information, but it is no longer a requirement for admission to public, private, or parochial schools or state-regulated child care centers.

Additionally, the bill introduces new language that emphasizes the voluntary nature of vaccinations, stating that no public educational institution may require vaccination as a condition for enrollment or employment. It retains penalties for providing false immunization certificates but removes the provisions related to exemptions and the role of an Immunization Officer, which were part of the previous compulsory framework. Overall, the bill aims to provide greater autonomy to individuals regarding vaccination decisions in West Virginia.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 16-3-4