when to start exemption process?

[mamakah]

I live in UT, and there has been a few posts about it being a bit difficult to get a religious exemption in the state. my son is 8 months old, so won't be attending school anytime soon, but I'm afraid that by the time he does start school, it will be tougher to get an exemption. If I go get one now, will it forever exempt him? I want to go with the religious even though my state has philosophical. I feel that WHEN the gov starts cracking down on exemptions, philosophical will be the first to go.
In Utah you have to name what religion you are (where I would name christian science). I'm also hoping that having a religious exemption will stop the pressure from pedi when I go and any possible dr. visits in the future. Any thoughts or experiences will be greatly appreciated!

[spero]

You have no need for an exemption now, so there's really no sense in having one IMO. You can keep one on file at the doc's, but it won't mean anything and you're still going to have to re-file with the school eventually (under whatever statutes are in place when your child goes to school).

Originally Posted by sages

I'm also hoping that having a religious exemption will stop the pressure from pedi when I go and any possible dr. visits in the future.

Unfortunately, no. If you happen to have a doc who is pushy about vaccines, an exemption isn't going to make a lick of difference. Exemptions have no legal bearing on physician care. They'll still pressure you, and they can still refuse to see your child if you refuse to vaccinate.

Honestly, you're better off spending your time & energy finding a doctor who will work with you and not hassle you about the vaccines.

[EVC]

I might be wrong but....I don't see any point to doing it in advance. If they do away with exemptions, I don't think there is any way to be "grandfathered" in by dong one now.

I'm also hoping that having a religious exemption will stop the pressure from pedi when I go and any possible dr. visits in the future.

Doctors don't care about exemptions. They are ONLY for daycare/school.

But I do think you are right to pursue a religious exemption rather than a philosophical one. As for the doctor, just say "it is against my religion" and leave it at that. Be prepared, however, that there are doctors who will drop unvax'ed patients regardless of the reason for not vaxx'ing.

[milkybean]

Originally Posted by EVC

Doctors don't care about exemptions. They are ONLY for daycare/school.

Exactly.

We used only a naturopath for DS when we were doing well-kiddo visits, and even she had a box to check off, legally, asking us about vaccinations. This is when she didn't even DO vaccinations. The third visit I raised my eyebrow, and she explained about the box to check off, I said "no thank you", she checked the box and moved on.

So she didn't pressure (what would be the point?), but she still had to ask.

If your doc won't drop it when you say "no" each time, I'd start looking to other docs.

[A&A]

Utah is a pretty strong "parental rights" state, so I don't see philosophical going by the wayside here any time soon.