WASHINGTON, D.C. (Sept. 4, 2025) – The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has reinforced that providers in the federal Vaccines for Children Program (VCP) must comply with state laws recognizing religious and conscience-based exemptions from childhood vaccine mandates.
In a letter issued Thursday, the HHS Office for Civil Rights (OCR) reminded state and local health departments, along with participating providers, that program participation requires honoring these exemptions where they exist under state law.
“Today’s letter makes clear that providers must respect state laws protecting religious and conscience-based exemptions to vaccine mandates,” said HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. “States have the authority to balance public health goals with individual freedom, and honoring those decisions builds trust.”
The Vaccines for Children Program supplies federally purchased vaccines at no cost to eligible children through 61 state, local, and territorial immunization programs. OCR emphasized that while public health remains a priority, exemptions must be applied fairly, including in cases where parents object to vaccines developed using certain methods they find objectionable, such as those historically tied to fetal cell lines.
OCR Director Paula M. Stannard noted that not all objections are against vaccines in general. “Some individuals with religious or moral objections don’t oppose vaccination itself. They may have specific concerns that focus on the development or manufacturing of particular vaccines,” she explained.
The letter also follows earlier reminders sent to West Virginia officials, reinforcing that states must respect their own religious freedom protections to remain compliant with federal funding conditions.
This move is part of a broader effort by HHS to strengthen enforcement of federal conscience and religious nondiscrimination laws in health care. OCR continues to accept complaints from individuals who believe they have faced discrimination based on religion, conscience, or other protected factors in federally funded health programs.
The full letter is available on the HHS website.
