Do home schooling families qualify to take the religious exemption?
IA recent change in the immunization religious exemption allows for more families to take advantage of this option. Recent court decisions have upheld the rights of individuals seeking exemptions from immunizations based upon personal and religious reasons. It was determined by court case that a state may not deny an exemption simply because a person is not a member of a formal religious organization. Subsequent court rulings had declared that restricting religious exemptions from vaccination solely and exclusively to bona fide members of a recognized religious organization to be unconstitutional.To that end home educators in Iowa can take the religious exemption for immuizations. There is no longer a requirement in Iowa stating an applicant must be a member or adherent of a recognized religious denomination or bona fide church to take the religious exemption for immunizations.Please remember the Certificate of Immunization Exemption for religious reasons is valid only when notarized.
