Which Vaccination Exemptions Are Allowed by Missouri?

Families in Missouri can apply for exemptions to vaccination requirements for religious or medical reasons.

For a religious exemption, a parent or guardian must fill out and sign a state form and submit it to school administrators stating that vaccinations violate their religious beliefs, according to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. A certification signed by a doctor is required for medical exemptions. School are required to submit vaccination records to the health department.

VOTE NOW: Should Parents Have the Freedom Not to Vaccinate Their Children?

Missouri ranks 35th in the nation for its rate of preschoolers that have received required vaccinations, according to an analysis released in February by Trust for America’s Health. The state’s vaccination rate was 89.8 percent, putting Missouri among 17 states that fall below the threshold of 90 percent set by the federal task force Healthy People 2020.

All states allow medical exemptions to vaccination requirements for children unable to take vaccines because of weak immune systems or allergies. All states but California, Mississippi and West Virginia also offer vaccination exemptions for religious reasons, the Pew Research Center said. Some states also offer broader exemptions for philosophical reasons, such as personal or moral beliefs.

Many states have been reviewing their vaccination exemptions in the wake of a recent measles outbreak traced to Disneyland. In 2014, 22 cases of the disease were reported in Kansas City, Missouri, leading to quarantines, KCUR reported. Still some people fear dangers of vaccines.

URGENT: Should States Be Allowed to Make Health Decisions for Your Children?

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