From Seattletimes · · 2m
Amish families push to undo vaccine law as measles outbreak hits
Amish families sued New York over vaccine mandates after measles outbreak, seeking Supreme Court intervention.
In brief
Amish families sued New York over vaccine mandates after measles outbreak, seeking Supreme Court intervention. Amish families in New York sued to keep religious exemptions from vaccine laws after measles cases surged, risking fines and school closures. Originally reported by Seattletimes.
Amish schools challenge vaccine law
Amish families say New York’s immunization rules threaten their religious freedom and way of life.
“The dispute: whether students must be vaccinated”
Amish petition Supreme Court
Amish filed a petition with the U.S. Supreme Court to force New York to grant religious exemptions to immunization rules.
“In a petition filed Sept. 28, the Amish asked the U.S. Supreme Court to force New York to grant religious exemptions to immunization rules”
Measles outbreak begins
A wave of measles cases swept through Amish communities, prompting New York Gov. Kathy Hochul to declare a statewide health emergency.
“New York Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a statewide health emergency this month after more than 100 people fell ill with measles”
Health officials' stance
Health officials acknowledged most measles cases in upstate New York were clustered within Plain communities.
“One county health official, Dr. Kevin Watkins of Cattaraugus County, confirmed during a county health board meeting that most cases in upstate New York were clustered "within Plain communities"”
Amish community size
More than 20,000 Amish residents live across upstate New York, from the westernmost corner to the North Country region.
“More than 20,000 Amish residents live across upstate New York, from the westernmost corner to the North Country region”
Vaccine exemption history
Amish families had religious exemptions to New York’s school immunization requirements for years.
“For years, many Amish children had religious exemptions to New York’s school immunization requirements”
2019 vaccine law change
In 2019, New York eliminated religious exemptions after schools became a major transmission site during a measles outbreak.
“In 2019, schools emerged as a major locus of transmission during a measles outbreak in ultra-Orthodox Jewish communities”
School compliance issues
Health inspectors found only one of 24 children at one school had required vaccination paperwork.
“When inspectors arrived at one schoolhouse, only one of 24 children had the required vaccination paperwork on file”
Amish legal declaration
Over 20 Amish and Mennonite parents signed a declaration pleading with New York to allow religious exemptions.
“More than two dozen Amish and Mennonite parents had signed a declaration, beseeching the state to let them run their schools without interference”
Fines and consequences
Amish schools faced fines up to $2,000 per student for noncompliance with vaccination rules.
“The inspections led to hefty fines, as much as $2,000 per student, a huge sum for one-room schoolhouses that receive no public funding”
Supreme Court case
Amish families asked the Supreme Court to intervene after losing twice in federal courts.
“After suffering another adverse ruling in June, the Amish have now again asked the Supreme Court to intervene”
Supreme Court decision
The Supreme Court accepted the Amish case, with legal experts predicting a likely intervention.
“The Supreme Court accepts only a small fraction of appeals, but there is a much stronger chance it will take up this case, given its prior order”
Amish leadership stance
Amish leaders warn that some families might leave New York if vaccine laws are not changed.
“If the Amish were to lose, he warned that some might depart in search of greater religious freedom elsewhere”
What matters most
Amish families in New York sued to keep religious exemptions from vaccine laws after measles cases surged, risking fines and school closures.
