February 2025 News
Introducing West Virginia Families for Immunizations
West Virginia Families for Immunizations is a grassroots network of advocates who support science-based immunization policy and a safe and healthy WV.
We are looking forward to working with you as we fight anti-vaccine legislation in West Virginia this session and as we work to maintain strong, evidence-based vaccine policy in the future.
West Virginia Needs to Stay Strong on Vaccines
Immunizations have nearly eradicated diseases like polio, smallpox and measles, which once devastated families. Thanks to West Virginia’s strong immunization laws, we’ve kept these threats in check and saved countless lives. Immunization is not just a personal choice — it’s a shared responsibility.
Read more of our op-ed in the Charleston Gazette here.
2/27/2025
The First Death in the US from Measles in Over a Decade Happened Amid the Texas Measles Outbreak
The measles outbreak in Texas and New Mexico has spread to 124 reported cases with no sign of stopping. An unvaccinated child in Texas has died from the measles infection. This is the first death from measles in the US in over a decade.
2/26/2025
Texas Measles Outbreak Worsening
With 90 confirmed cases in TX and 9 in NM (though there are likely more who are untested or unreported), health official are warning of potential exposure in two large Texas towns and at on of the Nation’s busiest tourist attractions. “Conscientious Exemptions” have soared in recent years in these areas of outbreak, underscoring how religious or philosophical vaccination exemptions can lead to outbreaks of preventable diseases in short time.
2/24/2025
Legislature Prepares to Roll Back Progress on Childhood Immunizations
Hoppy’s Commentary: “We should study history and learn from it. But instead, West Virginia is about to roll back the clock to a time before science made medical advances in vaccines that, according to a study by World Health Organization, have saved 154 million lives over the last 50 years.”
2/20/2025
Senate Health Takes Up Exemptions for Immunizations in Governor’s SB 460
SB 460 made an appearance as the first bill to be taken up by the Senate Health and Human Resources Committee. Read about today’s hearing as the bill heads to the full Senate Next Week:
West Virginia Metro News
WV News
Parkersburg News & Sentinel
WTRF
WV News
WV Public Broadcasting
* updated 2/14/2025
WVFI In the News on SB 460
West Virginia bill will allow students to attend public school without vaccinations for religious and philosophical reasons if parents submit a written statement.
2/14/2025
Immunizations Positively Effect Health in So Many Ways
This article highlights just how important immunizations are to every aspect of healthcare. We have to protect our kids even when we may not expect the worst.
2/14/2025
Gov Morrissey Gives 2025 State of the State Address
If you missed Gov Morrissey’s 2025 West Virginia State of the State you can watch it here.
2/12/2025
West Virginia Can’t Afford a Measles Outbreak Like Ohio Had
Putting 35 young children in the hospital and costing our neighbor $3.5 million, WV simply can’t afford to risk the health of our communities or our pocketbooks:
2/11/2025