Vaccinating Baby in Temporary Custody Violated Religious Liberty

The Massachusetts Department of Children & Families’ vaccination of a newborn it had temporary custody over violated the parents’ religious freedom rights, the Supreme Judicial Court held Thursday in a matter of first impression.

“Although the Commonwealth has assumed control over certain decision-making concerning the child, at least temporarily, that assumption of control does not extend to the religious upbringing of the child,” Justice Scott Kafker wrote for the court. “In this area in particular, the Commonwealth must not overstep its bounds.”

The Massachusetts constitution protects the free exercise of religion, and the state’s decision to vaccinate a child over ...