Dennis Rempel

On a scale of “Strongly Agree” (5) to “Strongly Disagree,” (1) rank your position on the following statements: 

Vaccines are safe: 5
Vaccines are effective at preventing disease: 5
Keeping children safe is a shared responsibility: 5

What is your position on West Virginia’s current school vaccine requirements (which allow only medical exemptions)? 

Maintain current requirements

In your view, what role should the state play in ensuring access to vaccines—especially in rural or underserved communities? 

The schools should be required to provide vaccines either at the school or a designated location.

Which of the following best reflects your understanding? 

Vaccines primarily protect the individual receiving them
Vaccines help protect both individuals and the broader community
Vaccination is largely a personal decision with limited community impact
Vaccination is a personal decision regardless of community impact 

If a preventable disease outbreak (such as measles) occurred in your district, what actions—if any—would you take as a policymaker (e.g., make a statement regarding safety, coordinate with public health officials, take policy actions, encourage vaccination, etc.

I would reach out to public health officials and encourage them to use all forms of media to educate the public about the health risks of preventable diseases and the benefits of vaccination.

Is there anything else you would like West Virginia voters to know about your approach to public health, community wellbeing, and/or vaccines?

I am an advocate of public education, by supporting vaccines and public education together, we affirm a simple principle: strong communities are built when we protect both learning and public health.