Experience getting waivers in Alaska?/chicken pox varivax

[foogoomomma]

The school nurse has notified us that it is a state law that my 9 year old receive the chicken pox varivax vaccination. From everything I have read, it simply is not a good idea and wish to get an exemption. My question is this: Alaska doesn't have a philosophical waiver. They have a medical or religious waiver. While he is sensitive to things, I'm not sure our pediatrician would sign a letter. He hasn't ever given us a hard time about vax in general, but I'm not sure he would sign a letter either. I don't have an issue saying it is per my religious beliefs.. as in I believe it to be a danger to my child, but I have never had to do this before and would like to know other Alaskans experience. I have in general always done the regular routine of vaccinations for my children, but over the past few years am now saying a big NO to most of them. It's never been a school issue though since my oldest children have already received most of the vaccinations required by the schools. It's with the younger children that do not yet attend school that I have limited their vaccines and is now coming up with the older ones.

Ok so hopefully that made sense.. is there an issue with me citing religion? What if I choose to do a vaccine for him in the future will there be an issue with me citing religion now? I feel a little on the ignorant side asking these questions, but I've never had to get into it with a school or defend my choices to keep my son in public school. Also I don't have a specific church to cite for religion, is that an issue too?

help!

[kiara7]

If you file a religious exemption now, you can not pick and choose vax's later. Religious exemption means you're against the practice of vaccination. You don't have to cite any church or religious organization - this is your personal religious belief.

Has your son had cp? A lot of times you can get a note from the dr that he's had cp and it's accepted in lieu of vax.

Medical exemptions are near impossible to get. It seems that a child would have to pretty much die on the spot for a doc to sign a medical exemption.

[Marnica]

Here are some links to Alaska's exemptions laws

http://www.nvic.org/state-site/Alaska.htm

http://www.vaclib.org/exempt/alaska.htm

PP is correct. You cannot pick and choose vaccines. It's all or nothing for a religious exemption.

[spero]

Have you considered a titer check? He may already be immune.

[foogoomomma]

None of my children have had it... I kind of doubt he's immune. I think it's ridiculous that I don't have the right to say I just don't want him to have it. :/