Sunday, February 15, 2015

Agudas Israels position whether yeshivos should admit students who have not been immunized

In this weeks issue of AMI magazine a question was sent to Agudas Yisrael of America on its position  regarding the current debate on immunization. Yeshivos and Bais Yaakovs are faced with a dilemma should they or shouldn't they honor exemptions for those who do not wish to vaccinate. While immunization is not mandated  these children may pose a risk to expectant teachers or parents with non immunized infants who are visiting the school
Rabbi Chaim Dovid Zwiebel response to Ami- So there should be no ambiguity on the matter, Agudath Israel takes no position on whether yeshivos should or should not admit non-immunized students. The senior roshei yeshiva and the rabbonim who sit on the moetzes Gedolei haTorah of Agudath Israel and on the vaad of Torah Umesorah have not adapted an across the board policy or recommendation on this point, instead leaving the issue to be decided by each individual yeshiva through consultation with its local rabbinic,medical and legal advisers.
As a matter of secular law do yeshivos have a legal right to refuse admission to students whose parents claim a religious exemption from immunization requirements? the answer is in NJ, Yes in NY the law is less clear.

1 comment:

  1. Two roshei yeshiva who are members on the moetzes, their rebbetzins are known not to vaccinate, has that influenced their position in any way?

    ReplyDelete