US state of Mississippi, under judge’s order, starts allowing religious exemptions for childhood vaccinations
Jackson, Mississippi, US AP The US state of Mississippi is starting the court-ordered process of letting people cite religious beliefs to seek exemptions from state-mandated vaccinations that children must receive before attending day care or school. Mississippi is one of the poorest states and has high rates of health problems such as obesity and heart disease. But […]
In the US, judge rules Mississippi must give religious exemption on vaccines
Jackson, Mississippi, US AP Mississippi must join most other states in allowing religious exemptions from vaccinations that children are required to receive so they can attend school, a federal judge has ruled. US District Judge Sul Ozerden handed down the decision Monday in a lawsuit filed last year by several parents who say their religious […]
USDA exempts religious schools from non-discrimination rules to keep kids fed
Washington DC, US RNS The US Department of Agriculture has clarified its guidance for participants in a free school lunch program, stating that faith-based schools can seek religious exemptions to federal restrictions that include barring discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. The clarification, delivered via a USDA memo dated 12th August, […]
US Navy barred from acting against religious vaccine refusers
Washington DC, USAP A US federal judge in Texas is barring the US Navy from taking action for now against sailors who have objected to being vaccinated against COVID-19 on religious grounds. US District Judge Reed O’Connor had in January issued a preliminary injunction preventing the Navy from disciplining or discharging 35 sailors who sued over the […]
US Air Force officers sue over religious exemption denials
Toledo, Ohio, USAP A dozen US Air Force officers have filed a lawsuit against the US Government after the military denied their religious exemptions to the mandatory COVID-19 vaccine. The officers, mostly from Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton, Ohio, along with a handful of airmen and reservists, accused the Air Force of using a […]
Essay: Americans support a high bar for religious exemptions to vaccines
In an essay first published on Religion News Service, ROBERT P JONES, CEO of Public Religion Research Institute, and EBOO PATEL, founder of Interfaith Youth Core, look at the result of a recent poll addressing US attitudes towards the vexed issue of religious exemptions…
Americans concerned too many are seeking religious exemptions to vaccines – survey
Washington DC, US RNS A new poll reveals most Americans are in favour of offering religious exemptions for the COVID-19 vaccines, yet express concern that too many people are seeking such exemptions. In the same survey, more than half of those who refuse to get vaccinated say getting the shot goes against their personal faith. […]
In the US, a faith advisory board with Trump ties urges religious vaccine exemptions for military
RNS More than 1,700 religious leaders organised by former President Donald Trump’s faith advisers are urging the US military to grant religious exemptions to COVID-19 vaccine mandates, alleging service members with spiritual objections to the inoculations are being “stripped of their religious liberties”. But while the effort singled out COVID-19 vaccine mandates first initiated by President […]
COVID-19 vaccinations: Priests navigate Catholics’ fears and consciences in vaccine exemption pleas
ALEJANDRA MOLINA, of Religion News Service, reports on the debate among US Catholics over the granting of religious exemptions for COVID-19 vaccines…
Connecticut is sixth US state to end religious vaccine exemption
AP Connecticut will no longer allow a religious exemption from childhood immunization requirements for schools, colleges and day care facilities, becoming the sixth state to end that policy. The legislation was signed into law Wednesday by Governor Ned Lamont, hours after the Democratic-controlled Senate passed the bill late Tuesday night. More than 2,000 opponents had rallied outside […]