Two of the state’s top political leaders — Sen. Jim Justice and Gov. Patrick Morrisey — are now taking jabs at one another over the efficacy of vaccinations, with Justice, the state’s former governor, standing firmly behind the science. It is getting hard to understand Morrisey’s position on this matter — particularly at a time when he is working to make the state more attractive to business and more competitive with its neighbors.

Morrisey’s executive order expanding religious exemptions for school vaccination requirements represents a worrisome departure from evidence-based public health policy. Vaccinations remain one of the wonders of modern medicine, preventing millions of deaths annually and sustaining herd immunity against highly transmissible diseases. Weakening these requirements introduces new risks to the state’s residents.

It’s no secret that a strong vaccination program — such as what currently exists in West Virginia — prevents outbreaks. Measles, for example, requires approximately 95% community immunization to maintain herd protection. As has been seen in other states, outbreaks occur when exemptions are allowed.

Yet Morrisey’s order permits parents to bypass immunization with a signed letter asserting religious exemption. That’s the wrong approach. According to the National Institutes of Health, data from states with similar policies show rapid increases in exemption rates followed by resurgences of vaccine-preventable diseases. Sadly, these outcomes are predictable.

By framing the state’s vaccination policy as an “outlier,” Morrisey misrepresents the scientific rationale for the standards. States that allow non-medical exemptions face a higher risk of preventable outbreaks. Allowing West Virginia to deviate from a process that has worked for decades does not constitute progress.

Religious freedom is vital, but it cannot supersede public health. Consider the recent words of the Most Rev. Mark Brennan, bishop of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, in an opinion piece published Sept. 4 in this newspaper:

“I affirm the right of parents to follow their conscience as the primary educators of their children. Yet if their conscience is wrongly formed ­– as is the case with those who sincerely but mistakenly deny the efficacy of proven vaccines — their decision may cause injury to their own children and to the children of other parents, who want their children protected against diseases,” Brennan wrote.

“I join many other West Virginians, both medical personnel and ordinary citizens, in urging our civil leaders to back away from weakening a childhood vaccination regimen that has done immense good in keeping our children healthy. I will certainly not allow a weakening of that safety policy in our Catholic schools. We will follow Jesus’ example of welcoming children and blessing them (Mark 10:13-16).”

Justice offered these thoughts: “I think it’s plain out-and-out nuts. That’s all there is to it,” the senator said of the current vaccine debate. “These vaccines are proven in every way. You know where I stood when I was your governor in regard to the vaccines. President (Donald) Trump stands right with me in regard to the vaccines today. … If we don’t watch out here, we’re going to turn around three or four times and we’re going to end up with a bad event.”

It’s past time to focus on the business of improving West Virginia, not wasting time on proven science. Unfortunately, what should be a back-seat issue in a state where leaders say they want a better economic future for residents has been allowed to grab the wheel.