West Virginia Supreme Court Blocks Religious Vaccine Exemptions for Schoolchildren

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – December 3, 2025 – The Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia has issued a stay that halts enforcement of a Raleigh County circuit court ruling which briefly allowed parents to claim religious exemptions from school vaccination requirements.
Judge Michael Froble’s November 26 order granted permanent injunctive relief and declared that families could use religious exemptions to enroll their children in public, private, and parochial schools. That decision also certified a statewide class action, expanding the ruling’s reach.
The Board of Education quickly challenged the order, filing a petition for a writ of prohibition. On Tuesday, the Supreme Court granted the stay, freezing Froble’s ruling and pausing further circuit court proceedings while the case is reviewed.
As a result, West Virginia schools have returned to their long‑standing policy: only medical exemptions are recognized for compulsory vaccinations. Children without required immunizations and a valid medical exemption cannot attend school.
The Court’s order also clarified that the stay does not affect appeal deadlines. Parties still have 30 days from the entry of judgment to file an appeal, which would go to the Intermediate Court of Appeals.
This decision means families relying on religious exemptions must comply with vaccination requirements until the state’s highest court issues a final ruling. The case remains active, with the Supreme Court set to decide whether the lower court had authority to certify a statewide class action and whether religious exemptions can be recognized under state law.