Sure, vaccines are mandatory
UNLESS you have an exemption.
The reason those children were in danger of being kicked out of school is because they did not have an up to date vaccine record
OR and exemption on file.
Quote:
http://www.nvic.org/state-site/Maryland.htm
Effective currently: (1) The individual objects to immunization because it conflicts with the individual's bona fide religious beliefs and practices; or (2) The individual is a minor and the individual's parent objects to immunization because it conflicts with the parent's bona fide religious beliefs and practices.
Effective May 2008: a child whose parent objects to immunization on the ground that it conflicts with the parent's bona fide religious beliefs and practices may not be required to present a physician's certification of immunization in order to be admitted to school. |
-For a religious exemption you need to be "against the practice of vaccination". If you give your reasons to be against vaccinations as:
"I'm against vaccination because they use aborted fetal cells" - This is a philosophical reason.
"I'm against pre-marital sex and some vaxes are for sexually transmitted diseases." This is a philosophical reason.
Again, you have to be against the the practice of vaccination. For a more through explanation of why this is read the Wexler decision below.
-Also, you DO NOT have to be a member of a religion doctrinally opposed to vaccination. You can be Wiccan, Lutheran, Catholic, Jewish, church of the flip flops, and still claim a religious exemption do to your personal religious beliefs against the practice of vaccination. Dr. Mercola does a good job of explaining this in my Religious Exemptions link below (you may have to register to read it).
Sample Religious Exemption Letter
Quote:
To whom it may concern;
(We / I) {First and Last name(s)}, as the {(parent (s) / guardian(s)} of ______________________(name of newborn child) are exercising (our/my) rights under the US Constitution, PUBLIC HEALTH LAW, ARTICLE 21. CONTROL OF ACUTE COMMUNICABLE DISEASES,TITLE VI. POLIOMYELITIS AND OTHER DISEASES, NY CLS Pub Health § 2164 (2002), to receive Religious Exemption from Vaccination, ALL injections, prophylaxis, & testing due to our genuine and sincere religious beliefs which are contrary to the practices herein required.
The U.S. Supreme Court held in Frazee V. Illinois Dept. of Security, 489 U.S. 829, that a religious belief is subject to protection even though no religious group espouses such beliefs or the fact that the religious group to which the individual professes to belong may not advocate or require such belief. This ruling is also reflected in Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as amended Nov. 1, 1980; Part 1605.1-Guidelines on Discrimination Because of Religion.
Sincerely,
Your signature.
Date
