Page 41 - Special Issue: Healthy Baby

mended reading list at the end of this article to Private schools have their own rules and may If the birth
help you decide which, if any, vaccines you feel reject children that have not been vaccinated.
are safe for your child. While vaccines may be Public schools, however, are required by law to will take
mandated by the CDC and are required for school accept your exemption, when properly prepared place in a
attendance, no one should have the legal authority according to the laws of your state. Home school- hospital, you
to vaccinate your child against your wishes. ing currently sidesteps the issue entirely.
If the birth will take place in a hospital, you Once you check the laws for your particular can amend
can amend the medical treatment forms or your state, you can choose the exemption type that the medical
birth plan, and clearly state that you do not want is best for your situation. It is very important to treatment
any vaccines for your baby while in the hospital. submit the appropriate paperwork to the school so
You should also communicate your request ver- that your refusal to vaccinate cannot be interpret- forms or your
bally with the staff on all shifts, either yourself or ed as parental neglect. A philosophical exemption birth plan,

by having your spouse or advocate communicate generally requires a short letter simply stating that and clearly
your wishes clearly and directly. you object to vaccination. The religious exemp-
Once your child is born, the pressure to tion also requires a letter, but some states stipulate state that you
vaccinate comes from two sources—medical that you actually belong to, and are a practicing do not want
authorities and school authorities. Medically, you member of, a religion that specifically objects to any vaccines
are free to make any decision at any time you vaccination. The medical exemption is usually
think is best regarding your child’s vaccination the most difficult to obtain because doctors are for your baby
schedule. However, if you opt out of vaccination, subject to review and censure by state medical while in the
many doctors may lie about vaccines being man- authorities when they grant exemptions. In some hospital.
datory or frighten you with exaggerated statistics cases medical exemptions may be obtained from
about the dangers of not vaccinating and refuse the school nurse—and are often easier to obtain
to treat your child. Unfortunately, the “bread and than from a physician.
butter” of pediatric practice are the many “well Happily, simply signing and submitting the
baby” visits that include vaccination throughout exemption is generally all that is needed. Some
your child’s development. exemption letters must be notarized or drafted
15
However, it is the entry into day care or as a signed affidavit. And some school immuni-
school that triggers the need for legal exemptions. zation records have an exemption section on the
There are three types of exemptions—philosoph- form itself, that you simply fill out. For examples
ical, medical and religious. There are medical of exemption letters for all possible scenarios and
exemptions in all fifty states, religious exemp- all states see vaclib.org/pdf/exemption.htm
tions in all but five states (California, Maine, When discussing your decision to opt out, it
Mississippi, New York and West Virginia), and is best to remain calm, courteous and diplomatic,
philosophical exemptions in sixteen states. You even in the face of ignorance or resistance from
can check the laws for your particular state at authorities. Do not enter into arguments with
nvic.com. authorities and draw attention to your decision.

IF YOU MUST VACCINATE

 Wait until the child is at least 2 years old.
 Do not give more than one vaccination at a time.
 Never vaccinate when the child is sick.
 Be sure that the vaccines are thimerosal-free.
 Supplement the child with extra cod liver oil, vitamin C and B before each shot.
12
 Obtain a medical exemption if the child has had a bad reaction to a vaccination before or if there is a personal or
family history of vaccine reactions, convulsions or neurological disorders, severe allergies and/or immune system
disorders.

Wise Traditions 39