US health agency issues letter to states and providers on vaccine religious exemptions

Sept 4 (Reuters) - The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services said on Thursday that providers and states administering vaccines to children through the government's free access program must respect states' religious and conscience exemptions to remain eligible for participation.

The Vaccines for Children program, funded by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, provides vaccines to children who would otherwise lack access to them through other means.

The department said the letter was part of a "larger effort by HHS to strengthen enforcement of laws protecting conscience and religious exercise". The letter outlines its interpretation of what those religious exemptions encompass.

It had already sent a letter to West Virginia to recognize laws promoting religious freedom as a condition for participation.

States have vaccine mandates for school attendance and most provide exemptions for medical or religious reasons. However, some states, including West Virginia, do not allow a religious exemption.