CHARLESTON, WV (LOOTPRESS) — The Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia has formally taken jurisdiction over a high-profile Raleigh County vaccine case after granting a motion for direct review, bypassing the Intermediate Court of Appeals and fast-tracking the dispute to the state’s highest court.
The Court issued its order on December 12, 2025, confirming that it will hear the appeal in Case No. 25-836: West Virginia Board of Education, et al. v. Miranda G., et al.
The case stems from a ruling in Raleigh County Circuit Court (No. CC-41-2025-C-230) involving parents challenging state vaccination requirements. The underlying decision has drawn statewide attention because West Virginia’s school immunization laws are among the strictest in the nation, with no non-medical exemptions.
Supreme Court Order Confirms Direct Review
According to the order, petitioners—including the West Virginia Board of Education, multiple individual Board members in their official capacities, State Superintendent Michele Blatt, the Raleigh County Board of Education, Raleigh County school officials, and a petitioner listed as Jane Doe—filed their motion for direct review on December 11.
The Court noted that the petitioners had already filed a notice of appeal earlier in the week with the Intermediate Court of Appeals, where the case had been docketed as No. 25-ICA-476, before seeking to move the case directly to the Supreme Court.
In its ruling, the Court stated it had considered the request and was “of the opinion to, and does, grant the motion for direct review.”
The order directs the Clerk to retrieve the case record from the Intermediate Court and notify all counsel involved.
Parties and Legal Representation
The Supreme Court’s order lists a large legal team representing the petitioners, including attorneys from:
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Bailey & Glasser LLP
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Bowles Rice LLP
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Jackson Kelly PLLC
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Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP
The respondents in the case are Miranda G. and Carley H., each acting individually and on behalf of their minor children. Consistent with Supreme Court practice, the order uses only initials to protect the identity of juvenile litigants, even though the children’s surnames had appeared in lower-court filings.
Next Steps: Scheduling Order Expected
The Supreme Court is expected to issue a scheduling order in the coming days, establishing deadlines for briefing and subsequent proceedings. That order will mark the official start of Supreme Court review and will determine how quickly the case progresses.
Stay Already in Place
A stay issued on December 2 halted enforcement of the lower court’s ruling while appeals move forward. With direct review granted, the stay remains in effect as the Supreme Court prepares to consider the legal questions at the heart of the dispute.
Significance of the Case
The Raleigh County litigation is being closely watched because it could influence the future of vaccination policy in West Virginia public schools. For decades, the state has been recognized nationally for having one of the most restrictive—and effective—school immunization frameworks.
More Context to Come
Additional context and legal argumentation from the filed motions and notice of appeal can be incorporated once those documents are fully reviewed. The uploaded Supreme Court order provides the first official confirmation that the case has now moved directly to the state’s highest judicial body.
