Elizabeth Sanchez
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?
As a teacher, I’ve seen how important it is for families to have access to reliable healthcare and accurate information, especially in rural communities where resources can already be limited. In my community, we have a mobile clinic through a local healthcare provider that visits schools, and I believe programs like that could benefit rural schools across West Virginia by helping provide access to vaccines and other preventative care services. The state should support local health departments, school and community outreach, and rural healthcare partnerships to make healthcare more accessible. Public health decisions should be guided by medical experts and focused on keeping our children, families, and communities safe.
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.
If a preventable disease outbreak occurred in my district, I would work closely with public health officials, schools, and community leaders to ensure families receive accurate, science-based information and access to available resources. As a policymaker and educator, I believe clear communication and public trust are critical during a public health situation. I would support efforts to contain the outbreak, protect vulnerable individuals, and encourage vaccination and other preventative measures recommended by medical professionals. My priority would be keeping our communities, schools, and children safe while ensuring families have the information they need to make informed decisions.
Is there anything else you would like West Virginia voters to know about your approach to public health, community wellbeing, and/or vaccines?
As a teacher, I understand how closely public health, education, and community wellbeing are connected. I believe strong communities are built when people have access to accurate information, quality healthcare, and preventative care that keeps families safe and healthy. My approach is rooted in listening to medical experts, supporting evidence-based public health practices, and ensuring that rural and underserved communities are not left behind. I also believe public trust matters, which is why transparency, education, and open communication should always guide public health decisions.
