Nonmedical Exemptions to Public School Vaccination Mandates in the Post-Pandemic World: Solutions Within Existing State Frameworks

Abstract

The article examines issues relating to nonmedical exemptions to vaccination as a condition of public-school attendance. The article contends that the public health impacts of exemptions may be mitigated through the application of existing state frameworks relating to procedural tightening, counseling and persuasion, assessments of sincerity and good faith, the application of public emergency laws, and transparency. The article identifies best practices in each of these frameworks. The article concludes that nonmedical exemptions are unlikely to be eliminated.As such, public health and educational authorities must act to prevent further erosion of the benefits associated with vaccination.