Many states offer exemptions besides for medical, but states like California prohibit religious exemptions and philosophical exemptions, and will not allow students to attend university at both private and public in California.
My child probably will not be able to attend a college in California even if he gets accepted due to this. We’ve gotten many vaccines and only one specific vaccine we are opposed to.
A federal intervention is necessary because people shouldn’t be denied an education for making one health choice, putting people in the position of getting a vaccine or giving up a prestigious / good university.