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Christian Citizenship Applicant Protests Vaccination Requirement

By Howard M. Friedman

Yesterday's Christian Post reports on Simone Davis, a 17-year old British citizen, who has been living with her grandmother in Florida since 2000. Now she is attempting to obtain U.S. citizenship, but objects on religious and moral grounds to the requirement that applicants for permanent residence show they have received a list of vaccinations, including Gardasil that protects against cervical cancer from sexually transmitted viruses. Simone and her grandmother (who teaches at a Christian school) applied for a waiver of the requirement, but were refused. Simone says that her Christian beliefs prohibit premarital sex, so she does not need the vaccine. Simone's grandmother says they cannot afford to appeal the waiver denial. Simone has been accepted to Pensacola Christian College in Florida for next year, but cannot attend unless she is a U.S. citizen.

Full post as published by Religion Clause on September 16, 2009 (boomark / email).