Case seeking religious exemptions from vaccine denied by Supreme Court

The nation’s highest court rejected a nonprofit organization’s appeal on Monday, leaving in place a Connecticut law against people claiming religious exemptions from vaccinations required at daycares, schools, and universities. The Court did not release any explanation for the one-sentence order regarding the case, which a lower appeals court had dismissed.

Who filed the appeal? An Idaho-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization called We the Patriots USA Inc. had argued that denying children religious exemptions from vaccinations to attend schools and daycares showed religious hostility. Connecticut lawmakers implemented the law in 2021 after a rise in exemption requests and a drop in vaccination rates amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Students who already received religious exceptions were allowed to keep their accommodations. Some medical exemptions are still allowed, but most children who wish to attend schools, daycare centers, and colleges must comply with state vaccine guidelines.

Dig deeper: Read Emma Freire’s report on conflicting expert opinions on COVID-19 vaccines.