If private and parochial schools are allowed to set their own immunization policies under new legislation, West Virginia’s Catholic schools would continue to abide by existing standards.

“We’re not going to change our practice. We will be requiring the normal set of immunizations for children in our schools,” Mark Brennan, bishop of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston said on MetroNews’ “Talkline.”

“It really is for the good of the children and the staffs, but also the Catholic way is to contribute to the common good. Vaccinations have a more than two centuries track record of really helping to improve public health.”

House Bill 5105 removes vaccination requirements for students in virtual public schools, and it also would allow private and parochial schools to set their own standards.

But senators pulled out a provision that would have allowed parents to send in a letter citing a religious exemption to vaccination requirements. The bill passed both chambers on the final night of the regular legislative session and is now awaiting a decision from the governor.

West Virginia’s latest figures show 12,494 non-public school students in 143 private/parochial schools. This does not include 25,882 homeschooled students.

Of those, the largest number are private schools associated with the Catholic Church — with total enrollment in 26 elementary and high schools at 4,528 students.

“We need to protect those children and also the teachers and the staff who are with them — but also the wider community. We’re helping by having children who have the proper immunizations. It really contributes to the good of the entire state. So we will not be changing our policy,” Brennan said.

“It is great that the Legislature wants to recognize our rights to do what we think is proper in our schools, but we do think it is proper to maintain the protocols we had in place for immunizations for our students.”

As of now, the West Virginia Department of Education boasts that the state has one of the most effective school-entry vaccine preventable laws in the nation:  “The vaccination laws have proven to improve attendance rates for students and staff while ensuring children stay healthy, safe, and ready to learn.”

West Virginia students entering school for the first time must show proof of immunization against diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella, and hepatitis B unless properly medically exempted.

Asked last week about whether he would sign the bill loosening the requirements for virtual students and private schools, Gov. Jim Justice said he hadn’t yet made up his mind.

“I just need to look at it. I am all for all the understandings of our freedoms. I am not a medical doctor. I do not know the ramifications about the possibilities that can exist or would exist by taking the shots and everything,” Justice said. 

“Let me just look at it. I think it’s premature for me to say ‘Yeah, I’ll sign it or we’ll go another way.’”

At a state Board of Education meeting last week, Fred Albert of the American Federation of Teachers-West Virginia, said the bill allowing vaccination loopholes is bad policy.

“I’m all for people having freedom and choice. That’s the American way of life. But when someone’s freedom then infringes upon the safety of others, I think we have a real concern,” Albert said. “Why would we want to go back to the days of measles and mumps and rubella, chicken pox, polio.”

Albert asked people to contact the governor to urge a veto.

“Please veto this bill,” he said. “It’s not a good bill.”