what would you do? flu vax NJ

[pmiriam]

Hey there,

my 3 year old daughter is in a Christian pre-school in NJ, where the Flu shot is mandatory. Since we do not want our daughter to get the flu shot, we filed for religious exemption but they do not accept it. We also had a letter from our pediatrician saying that they are out of the vaccine, but that did not help either.

They will not allow her to return to school in January without proof of the flu shot.

I would feel bad taking her out of school since she just got comfortable there and really enjoys it.
Also I am afraid that if I keep making trouble at the school, they won't accept her for the next school year at all.

What would you do?

[spero]

If they won't accept exemptions I'd find another school. I sure as hell wouldn't get my kid a flu shot just so she could stay in the school.

If the school receives ANY kind of state or federal funding, they must accept exemptions.

[pmiriam]

I am not sure if they receive state or federal funding, any idea how to find that out without asking them?

[spero]

Well, I'd just ask straight out.

"Does all your funding come from tuition, or do you also receive money from grants, private donations, and so forth?" (If they're vague, be direct and ask for specifics.)

Or see of they have an annual financial report that they could share with you.

As a prospective client, you're entitled to this info!

[Eman'smom]

So your dr is out of them but you still need the shot? Man NJ is going over the edge.


Is a religious exemption the only one you can get? Can your dr write you a medical one?

[ZuZu's Mom]

The NJ Dept of Health sent out a memo in December to all schools and daycares indicating that requests for religious exemptions must be accepted. This memo was sent out to parhocial and private schools as well.

[Marnica]

I'd find out about the funding first of all. If they are totally private with no funding and they won't except an exemption I'd find another school. No way I'd give the flu shot to stay in a preschool. there are other preschool's out there!!

[melissabb]

I would also ask about any government grants etc. I find it VERY hard to believe any business wouldn't be getting something - especially businesses in the field of education and childcare.

I would definately be pushing it with them. In the end, if all else failed I would be looking for a different school. But I would definately be fighting it first.

[loveyourohana]

Originally Posted by ZuZu's Mom

The NJ Dept of Health sent out a memo in December to all schools and daycares indicating that requests for religious exemptions must be accepted. This memo was sent out to parhocial and private schools as well.

I would ask them if they recieved the memo? Did you find out if they recieve any Fed. money in any way?

Be strong, dont let anyone bully you around!!! Lots of support here if you have a bad day!

[Proverbs31]

Why was your request for exemption declined? Depending upon why, I would first try to appeal the school's decision.

[CCChanel]

No way would I give my child any vax to accommodate any school/institution.

No way.

[pmiriam]

thank you very much for all your support.
it seems like NJ is out of the flu shot for children anyways....

so far I did not find out about the funding, but I will try and do so.

here is the email I got from them:

"As of Friday, December 19th, we are in receipt of your statement requesting a religious exemption from the state mandated influenza immunization for your daughter .... As is stated in the Weekday Nursery School handbook on page 19 under the heading Immunization, it is our policy not to grant religious exemptions as of September 2006. The same information is stated on the application you completed for your daughter for this year. We are exercising our right, as a Christian school, per the statue NJAC8:57-4.4 as copied below for you.

In order for your daughter to return to school January 5th we will need to have documented proof from a physician with the date of the vaccination between September-December 2008."

[Emmeline II]

Originally Posted by pmiriam

thank you very much for all your support.
it seems like NJ is out of the flu shot for children anyways....

so far I did not find out about the funding, but I will try and do so.

here is the email I got from them:

"In order for your daughter to return to school January 5th we will need to have documented proof from a physician with the date of the vaccination between September-December 2008."

Forget about the funding, all you need is this memo.

E-mail this back to them.
http://njvaccinationchoice.org/healthdeptmemo.html

The memo specifically states that it applies to private and parochial schools as well; there is nothing the school can do.

[Deborah]

If you want to know about funding for any non-profit ask them for a copy of their 990 (IRS filing). They are legally required to supply this document to anyone who asks for it.

Good luck sorting this out.

People are insane about vaccination requirements IMO.

[PaigeC]

I just can't get over the fact that NJ has mandated this vaccine. It isn't effective at ALL! Have you seen this graph? http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...102200063.html

I know, preaching to the choir but ugh just makes me so mad.

It sounds like that memo is pretty clear though. I hope it works.

[spero]

Originally Posted by Emmeline II

http://njvaccinationchoice.org/healthdeptmemo.html

When a parent or guardian submits their written religious exemption to immunization, which contains some religious reference, those persons charged with implementing administrative rules at N.J.A.C. 8:57 - 4.4, should not question whether the parent's professed religious statement or stated belief is reasonable, acceptable, sincere and bona fide. In practice, if the written statement contains the word "religion" or "religious" or some reference thereto, then the statement should be accepted and the religious exemption of mandatory immunization(s) granted.

This is freaking AWESOME. If only we could get NY to legislate something like this!!!!

[dbeans]

...parochial schools...

So, if I am reading the memo posted previously, parochial schools [U]have[U] to accept a written religious exemption from a parent...?
My son will be in kindergarten next year, and my dilemma is that our public school only has a 1/2 day. The local Catholic school has a full day program that would be perfect for him, but I was wondering how a religious exemption would work in a religious school.
If anyone could share their experiences with this, that would be great. I am in NJ, so religious exemption is the only way to go....

[GutInstinct]

"I would feel bad taking her out of school since she just got comfortable there and really enjoys it."

That is NO reason to get it! Stay strong, refuse the shot!

[pmiriam]

ok,
I emailed the director of the school the letter from the NJ Dept of Health which was send in December to all schools and daycares indicating that requests for religious exemptions must be accepted.


this is the answer I got:


" In response to the question regarding the immunization policy, I was in receipt of the letter you attached to me from the state from December 2008. My interpretation was that no one was to question the integrity or validity of someone’s letter of religious objection to immunizations, which is a change to letter (a) in the statute. It is no longer required to explain how it conflicts with the family’s beliefs. However letter (b) which gives the right to religious institutions to withhold the exemption is not changing. I contacted the NJDHS to verify my interpretation before I spoke to you and it has been confirmed that my interpretation was correct (per Jenny a Public Health Representative for the state at 609-588-7512). Therefore the policy that has been in effect since 2006 for the CPC Weekday Nursery School still stands. You can contact this same phone number if you are searching for available vaccines."

Not sure how to react to that.

[loveyourohana]

I didn't read a B giving withholding power to the school... perhaps it wasn't in the memo...or I skimmed too fast.

Either way... I would suggest contacting a lawyer and having them write a letter to the school, and finding out your rights as a parent. The flu shot being made mandatory is just stupid... Also... Perhaps before that... ask for the 990 IRS file as was suggested by Deborah. If they have any funding in any way, I would then submit that to them with a letter from a lawyer. I don't think it costs very much, if anything at all.