Attorney General Jason Miyares issued a legal opinion today that Virginia colleges cannot require their students to receive the COVID-19 vaccine as a general condition of students’ enrollment or in-person attendance.

Miyares highlights the opinion that “as recognized in the prior opinion, ‘[t]here is no question that the General Assembly could enact a statute requiring the COVID-19 vaccine for in-person school attendance.’ As of this writing, it has not done so. Over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, the General Assembly has amended other statutes to address pandemic-related issues.”

Penny Nance, President and CEO of Concerned Women for America (CWA), gave the following statement responding to today’s release:

“Attorney General Miyares’ opinion proves that he respects the rule of law and listens to students, parents, and school employees. His first opinion as Virginia AG is a huge step in the right direction to personal freedom in education in the Commonwealth of Virginia. No student should be denied admission to an institution or admittance to class because of their vaccine status.

“Nothing in Virginia law empowers public universities to make such requirements, and therefore we urge them to immediately rescind their policies.policies.

“We are grateful to Gov. Youngkin and Attorney General Miyares and urge them to continue prioritizing education, parents, and students in Virginia and continue to push back on the authoritarian establishment.

“Concerned Women for America applauds Attorney General Miyares and will continue to stand up for individual freedom and civil rights for Americans.”

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