Religious Exemption No More in Connecticut

     In the past year especially, we have seen an overwhelming amount of examples of the importance of people’s health taking precedence over religious beliefs. In this situation, the Governor of Connecticut, Governor Lamont, recently signed a religious vaccine exemption bill into law. This bill states that all students will now have to receive the required vaccinations in order to keep themselves and the public safe. The only students K-12 that are exempt from this new bill are students who have existing religious exemptions. The state Department of Public Health stated that there has been an increase in students who report a non-medical reason to be exempt from vaccinations. Governor Lamont stated, “This is an issue that I have spent a lot of time researching and discussing with medical experts, and it is something that I take very seriously knowing the public health impact it has on our children, families, and communities.” He recognizes the opposing viewpoint of how people will consider this to be an infringement on their religious liberties, but still makes it clear that under these circumstances the health of the general population is more important than one’s religious freedom.

    The issue in the case is whether forcing students to receive required vaccinations in order to attend school is a violation of one’s free exercise of religion. The Connecticut Freedom Alliance and We the Patrics USA both are attempting to revert this law and reinstate the freedom for a parent to exempt their child from required vaccinations for religious reasons. The common argument for these organizations and concerned parents all around the state is that this new law is an infringement on their religious freedom.

    After reading through this case and thinking about both points of views, I would have to say I agree with the state of Connecticut and Governor Lamont’s decision. I recognize and understand the concern that parents have when it comes to forcing their children to get vaccinations that are against their religion, but I still see the safety of all the other children and teachers as more important. That is my main reason as to why I have this opinion, in this situation I side with the health and safety of the public over religious freedom.

    In W.D. V. Rockland County, we see a similar problem. In New York, two students were exempt from attending school because they had not been vaccinated for religious reasons. A group of plaintiffs filed a complaint saying that the mandate “substantially burdened their religious beliefs by forcing them “to either engage in acts prohibited by their faith, that is, vaccinate, or lose state-created rights,” including the right to a public education.” When the NY Federal District Court reviewed the case, they quickly dismissed the opposition's argument strictly because this mandate served the purpose of protecting the general public from a very contagious and deadly measles outbreak. That case is a perfect example of how public health needs to come before religious freedom when dealing with such deadly viruses and diseases. 

    In Connecticut it seems as if the organizations and people who oppose this new law do not recognize the fact that them not receiving required vaccinations puts others at risk. No vaccination is 100% effective, so even if an unvaccinated person is surrounded by vaccinated people, there is still a chance they will spread it. This chance of spread increases when they are in a classroom with very little air flow surrounded by a large group of people. This law is not meant to be a burden for people who exclude themselves from vaccinations because of their religion. Instead, this law is meant to ensure that everyone who is gathering in a public setting has the highest chance of not only being immune to illnesses, but also being unable to transmit illnesses in the first place. Also another important fact to bring up is that the state of Connecticut is only forcing students to get vaccinated if they plan on attending school in person. As we have seen in the past year, attending school can be done virtually without any in person contact. Yes it would be more difficult for students, teachers, and parents, but this is always an option parents have if they are completely against getting their children vaccinated. When looking at this option, you see that parents are not being stripped of their religious freedom. They still have the option to exempt their children from these vaccinations, but in return they will have to adjust their academic lifestyle in order to keep the general public safe.