Mom: Immunizing Daughter Against My Religion and She Might Get Autism

Fox News - Associated Press May 13, 2009



CHARLESTON, W.Va.— A West Virginia mother is asking a federal judge to force education officials to enroll her daughter in public school without the required immunizations.

Jennifer Workman says it's against her religious beliefs and she's concerned about her daughter developing autism.

Although anti-vaccination advocates believe there is a link between immunizations and autism, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say there is no link betwen the two. Multiple studies have also failed to link autism to vaccinations.

West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources attorney Charlene A. Vaughan says the Mingo County mother's lawsuit essentially asks the court to order the agency to break the law.

The state law requiring all school children to be immunized against diphtheria, polio, rubeola, rubella, tetanus and whooping cough does not allow for a religious exemption.

Vaughan also argues that it goes against the state's role in protecting the public health.

The case is set for trial on July 6.

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