Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (RFK Jr.) has established himself as a prominent figure in President Trump’s cabinet so far this year as the new Secretary of Health and Human Services. While several of his key policy initiatives have been taken up at the state level this year, including regulating food additives and fluoride in water, few have initiated as much discussion at the state level as the issue of vaccinations.
Congress and State legislatures have drafted measures to limit the ability of public schools to require children to be vaccinated to attend their schools, however, these efforts do not stop as soon as a child finishes high school – higher education institutions are also being impacted by this legislation.
Federally, Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11) and Congressman Mark Messmer (IN-08) introduced legislation prohibiting federal funding from going to any higher education institution across the country that continues to require its students or staff to receive a COVID-19 vaccine to attend or work there. Twenty-one states have followed suit, introducing similar measures against post-secondary education vaccination requirements. This legislative session, South Carolina introduced SB 54, deeming it unlawful for higher education institutions to require vaccinations as a precondition for attendance, employment, and entry into buildings and grounds. Idaho enacted nearly identical legislation, SB 1210, prohibiting a higher education institution from requiring medical interventions, such as vaccinations, to attend classes, enter campus or buildings, or be employed by the school.
Another way that state legislatures are loosening immunization requirements is by expanding upon religious exemptions from mandated vaccinations to include language authorizing individuals who also have “conscientious beliefs” against vaccines to request an exemption. The Connecticut General Assembly introduced HB 5198, which allows “moral or philosophical” objections to be valid exemptions from all school vaccination requirements. The Arizona Legislature passed HB 2058, requiring a higher education institution to exempt any student who submits a statement refusing consent to immunizations due to personal beliefs. It was vetoed by Governor Katie Hobbs in April. Finally, the Alabama Legislature introduced SB 85, which allows an individual to submit a written statement to a higher education institution stating that the vaccination requirements contradict their religious beliefs and life practices, without any further explanation or third-party certification. The bill passed the Senate before stalling in the House.
The volume of legislation impacting vaccine requirements, particularly in schools and institutions of higher education, will likely continue to gain steam as legislatures return to capitols for interim discussions in anticipation of 2026 legislative sessions.