What qualifies as a medical exemption

[mitintraining]

Just a quick question. What qualifies as a medical exemption? I am asking because I have not vacced DD1 and DS3 but DS2 got vacced up to 6 months and DS1 is vacced up to 5 years. I am asking because my mother just told me about the seizures that I had after receiving the DPT and polio vaccines and she was wondering if they had anything to do with the vac. In my opinion and from my research I would say yeah- the DPT was at that time, 1982, causing seizures in some people. I am wondering if this qualifies me for a medical exemption for my children? I know that most doctors are using the DTap now and that there were no other 'reactions' after those three doses- I had a MMR the next year and another in 1997, of which I have no remaining immunity as of 2006. But I did suffer from childhood asthma until the teenage years and I have horrible allergies. So I am wondering if this is enough to be considered a medical exemption. I am currently homeschooling in a state that requires proof of immunization, or an exemption. The only choices are medical and religious so right now we are using the religious one. Thanks in advance:

[kiara7]

No. A doctor has to sign off on a medical exemption, and that's nearly impossible to get and it's usually just for one vax. You're better off with your religious exemption.

[Super Glue Mommy]

ditto kiara. and often even situations the CDC will say ":dont continue to vax if xyz" the drs will STILL say it is a normal reaction. they have liabilities to worry about too, its not like they just get to pass the buck on the vaccine damage.

[LavenderMae]

My nephew has a medical waiver from his doctor but he has leukemia and it would be dangerous and pointless (no real immune system due to chemo) for him to be vaccinated now. When he is better I doubt he'll qualify for a medical waiver anymore. He is the only child I've heard of getting a medical waiver and I am under the impression they are hard to get.

[tanyalynn]

The bad reactions usually need to be in the individual getting the exemption (I've heard of one state that has a list of family members who've had bad reactions, and I think that's only for the DPT) and only for the specific vaccine, not all vaccines. So if a kid had a bad reaction to DTaP, they maybe (if a doctor would sign off on it, which isn't a trivial matter) they could be exempt for that one vaccine, but all the others, they'd still need.

[Sileree]

Sometimes even if a doctor does sign a medical exemption the school board won't accept it. Kind of amazing really.

[spero]

Originally Posted by Sileree

Sometimes even if a doctor does sign a medical exemption the school board won't accept it. Kind of amazing really.

Really? You personally know of such a case? I just can't imagine that would fly, legally.

[Sileree]

Originally Posted by spero

Really? You personally know of such a case? I just can't imagine that would fly, legally.

I swear I just read of a case happening recently. I may have read of it on here. Let me see if I can find it...

[applejuice]

A medical exemption is only good for one vax and it is only good for one year, at which time, you are expected to get caught up.

[anewmama]

This is an older post, but I am looking for more information on medical exemptions and I am not finding that this is the case. California at least has the option of a permanent medical exemption which is not something that needs to be renewed or means that you are expected at some point to get caught up. The permanent exemption can apply to one or more vaccines. Proof of immunity may lead to a permanent exemption. There is also a temporary medical exemption that fits the guidelines of renewal.

Here is the Medical Exemption for California: http://ww2.cdph.ca.gov/programs/immu...ts/imm488e.pdf

http://www.nvic.org/Vaccine-Laws/sta...alifornia.aspx

[larkedyflarp]

In our state you need a letter from the doctor saying there's an increased risk for a bad reaction.

[anewmama]

Do you know how they determine that? I mean their thresh hold for bad reaction is pretty high as it is. Do you have to practically die for them to make that determination?

[FernG]

Usually the reaction must be documented by a medial visit and similar reactions must be documented in the medical literature for that specific vaccine. The reaction must also usually occur within a specific time frame (i.e., not too soon to when the vaccine was given and also not too long after). The time frames must also fit within what is described in the medical literature for each individual vaccine.

[FernG]

I saw this on another thread - the CDC reaction table.
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/recs/vac...tions-vacc.htm

[ainh]

Not that easy. Sorry.

Our pediatrician refuses to give my child vaccines in her office due to his life threatening (and multiple) food allergies. YET...she still won't write a medical exemption!! She says we need to do the vaccines at the allergists office or the ER or get them to sign off on the medical exemption. Seems like a disconnect, no? But it goes to show that it's hard to get a medical exemption.