As of Monday, the Mississippi State Department of Health is offering religious exemption for school vaccinations.
The policy is in response to a federal court order issued in April. The exemption is in addition to the existing medical exemption process, MSDH officials said Friday.
For a religious exemption, a parent or guardian will be required to schedule an appointment at a county health department office and submit Form 139-R, which is available on the MSDH website and at health department locations. During the appointment, the parent or guardian will watch a vaccine education video and will have an opportunity to ask questions. Health department staff will complete the form and submit it to the state epidemiologist for review.
