The bill introduced on February 21, 2025, seeks to amend the Code of West Virginia by adding a new section, 16-3-14, which establishes that individuals who have acquired natural immunity or antibodies from an infectious or communicable disease will be considered fully vaccinated. This classification applies regardless of whether these individuals have received a vaccine for the illness before or after contracting it. The bill aims to ensure that those with natural immunity or antibodies are treated equally or preferentially compared to those who have vaccine-induced immunity.

The proposed legislation emphasizes the importance of recognizing natural immunity as a valid form of protection against infectious diseases. By doing so, it seeks to provide equal or preferred treatment to individuals with natural immunity, thereby promoting a more inclusive approach to public health measures related to vaccination and immunity.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 16-3-14