County directs health department to follow 2023 guidance on vaccine-waiver information in back‑to‑school outreach

The Ottawa County Board of Commissioners voted June 23 to direct the county health department to follow a 2023 resolution and include information about lawful vaccine exemptions in its back‑to‑school communications, after a lengthy discussion about public outreach and parental informed consent.

The board approved a fiscal‑year 2026 budget adjustment — a $21,000 package that staff said will fund advertising, printing and distribution of back‑to‑school materials in partnership with neighboring Allegan County and the purchase and countywide distribution of tick‑prevention kits. Commissioners had divided the question to debate the back‑to‑school component separately and ultimately approved the full set of budget adjustments.

Commissioner Sylvia Roie pressed the health department on whether its outreach would explain both vaccination requirements and the availability of waivers under Michigan law. "Parents deserve complete information," Roie said, urging that promotional materials not advertise one lawful option while leaving another effectively hidden.

Dr. John Huninger, the county health officer, replied that the department does not intend to "hide" waiver information and that nonmedical exemption options and the county’s online waiver process are already posted on the health department website. "We are not hiding that information. It's prominently available on our website," Huninger said, while also explaining that short social‑media graphics cannot contain every administrative detail and that one‑on‑one conversations remain important.

Board members remained split on messaging style and the proper balance between public‑health promotion and administrative transparency. Supporters of the direction argued that adding explicit waiver information fulfills the board's prior policy and respects parental decisionmaking; others said that public‑health education should prioritize evidence‑based messages and that operational details are better provided on the department’s website.

After a roll‑call vote, the motion directing the health department to follow the 2023 resolution passed. County staff and public‑health leaders said they would incorporate the board’s direction into upcoming outreach and that printed materials distributed through schools and community events will be reviewed to ensure administrative options (including how to request waivers or schedule exemption appointments) are easy to find.

The board also heard operational questions about appointment capacity: health staff noted waiver appointments often fill in August and that the county has an online waiver‑education option to help reduce last‑minute demand. Huninger said parents may still schedule in‑person or signature‑only appointments and assured commissioners the department would make administrative instructions clearer on outreach materials.

What happens next: staff will update planned back‑to‑school outreach to reflect the board’s direction and proceed with the approved budget adjustments; the health department said it will coordinate content with school partners and make waiver‑application links and instructions more prominent on county materials and school communications.

(Reporting note: the board’s discussion and these quotes come from the June 23, 2026 meeting.)