Support

Protection of Religious Freedoms in Regard to Otherwise Mandatory Childhood Immunizations

This bill merely clarifies the intent of the original act concerning the religious freedoms of parents with religious objections to immunizations. It amends the public health law stating that when a parent submits an affidavit of genuine and sincerely held religious beliefs, that the school district must recognize the religious rights of those parents.

New Yorkers for Constitutional Freedoms (NYCF) believes this proposed amendment to the state’s public health law is consistent with the First Amendment to the US Constitution, which states, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.”

While government bears the responsibility of protecting the individual’s right to the free exercise of their religion, it does not (and must not) presume to judge the validity or sincerity of that religious belief unless there is a compelling governmental interest. If a minority number of parents choose not to immunize their children, this in no way endangers the majority of children in the school setting that do receive vaccinations.

The question of whether or not, children should receive vaccinations is moot. NYCF agrees that immunizations have been a tremendous advance of medical science – and we do not object to vaccinations in general, but NYCF also believes that the religious freedoms of parents in the rearing of their children must be protected.

For this reason, NYCF urges the New York State Legislature to support Assemblyman Gottfried and Senator Padavan’s respective bills.