The proposal is wholly inadequate and provides no analysis or justification to support adjustments to existing regulations. In fact, Virginia should relax the overburdensome regulations already in place. Freedom of religion should not be taken lightly; and any faculty, staff, student or parent volunteer making an assertion that a vaccine policy conflicts with their religious beliefs must be provided with a broad level of discretion and flexibility. The notary requirement for a religious exemption letter is overburdensome and unnecessary. Parents may write a letter opting out of the HPV vacccine, and similar flexibility recognizing the validity of a parent's letter should be offered for every other vaccine required. In no way should any of the vaccine requirements apply to private, religious, or homeshool students. If a vaccine conflicts with a particular religious belief, religious schools following that faith would clearly have the same religious objection, and any private or religious school officials must be permitted to opt out of any vaccine requirement for the whole school.
Thank you for your consideration of these comments.