Healthcare (Public Health)

HB 380 would allow North Carolina students to opt out of school vaccination requirements by submitting a written statement citing personal beliefs (a "conscientious objection"), rather than requiring proof of religious affiliation. It amends immunization reporting rules to include "conscientious objection" as a formal exemption category alongside medical and religious exemptions for public schools and colleges. Parents or guardians would need to provide this written statement instead of religious documentation to exempt their child from vaccination mandates. The policy change applies to public schools and colleges starting in the 2026-2027 school year.

SB 373 (Vaccination Schedule Variance/Minors) prohibits healthcare providers (including doctors, physician assistants, and nurses) from refusing to treat minors or their parents/guardians solely because they choose to delay or vary from the CDC's recommended vaccination schedule. The bill ensures minors cannot be discriminated against for this reason, while clarifying that mandatory vaccination requirements under state law (G.S. 130A-152) still apply. Violations would be considered unprofessional conduct by licensing boards. The law requires the Medical Board and Nursing Board to adopt implementing rules, with the main provision effective October 1, 2025.

This bill requires North Carolina's Commission for Public Health to wait at least three years after a vaccine receives U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval before adding it to the state's childhood immunization schedule. It allows exceptions only if both the North Carolina Medical Society and North Carolina Pediatric Society recommend adding a vaccine approved for less than three years. The law directly affects the Commission's authority to update vaccination requirements for school-aged children and the medical societies' role in advising on shorter-approved vaccines. It does not change existing vaccination requirements or exemptions for medical reasons.