delayed vaccines for toddler, intimidation from a military treatment facility

[AuburnBeth]

I'll try to keep this succinct. (promise!)

Basically, I'm feeling harrassed by the immunization clinic at the Military treatment facility that our family is assigned to. (We're in Arizona.)

After a run-in back in November 2008, which involved using the patient advocate office, and a long letter from me about the unprofessionalism of the receptionist, the immunization clinic has communicated (via my husband, the military member of our family, who was required to go in for a shot a month ago) that they *need* a copy of our chosen vaccination schedule for our children.

We have chosen a "choosy delayed" schedule, and our youngest (18 months) has received minimal shots (2, monovalent). We plan to go in this Thursday for his third.

Right now, my plan is to ask: 1. why they need his vaccine schedule? 2. for them to put their request in writing, for my (should I say "legal"?) records. 3. give as little information as possible (if forced, try to limit my vaccination plans to committing to the next shot planned in a few months)

I am not trying to be a horse's butt about this, but I am troubled by the unknown. Does anyone know of any honest reason they may have for requiring his vaccination schedule? My sister (a hospice nurse) suggested perhaps it's for a "plan of continuing care" for their records. I am trying not to see a plot where there may be none, but I am trying to anticipate wisely, and not accidentally undercut our rights.

Also, if it *is* a valid reason, I'm willing to comply, but I'm not going to passively go along if this is simple bullying/payback for my letter.

I HATE having to waste my time/energy on this. I'm possibly obsessing, but it does stress me, and that's not helpful for our lives.

Any input/advice/experience is very very welcome.

[yarngoddess]

That so sucks.

I would also remind them that you HUSBAND is the service member- not you nor your children. They are not allowed to behave like this.

If this was me, I would honestly tell them that you will no longer be vaccinating. Period. Even if you do vaccinate- you can get shots for free at the public health office. There is no reason tha you are only allowed to get shots at this one place.

I would NOT put into writing my plan. I just wouldn't do it becuause of the past history. I would remind them about the past history and tell them that you have NO problem going though a patient advocate LAWYER again. Or contacting the Media that the military is trying to strong arm a service members family. I would, personally, be cold and calculating.

I'm so sorry you are dealing with this!!! Like you don't have enough to deal with!!!

[marlne]

I don't see why the immunization clinic would need a copy of your schedule..
If anything, wouldn't your child's immunization records already be in the medical records? I would think that should be good enough.
What you are going through would leave me feeling harrassed as well.

My son was on a delayed and selective schedule before we decided to stop.
For the immunization clinic we used in Hawaii, we had to bring in the medical records with us. All the shot info was there and if anyone asked us about our schedule, it was only the doctor we visited. (not the immunization clinic)
The clinic didn't need to know what our schedule was like, they just needed to know that I followed a certain schedule and they were to just give me what I came for and that was it.

I got some rolled eyes at times and heard them talking about me but luckily there was a certain lady in there most of the time who was nice about it and was more respectful. When she was there, I wouldn't hear a single negative thing.

[Emmeline II]

No, you do not owe them jack.

If they want to insist tell them to provide you with the regulation they are acting on and that you will review it.

If they can't give you the reg and won't let it go contact the patient advocate again.

(formerly) SSgt Emmeline II, USAF

[nia82]

Never heard about this either. But then again, I never go to the immunization clinic, only to the ped... And he never asked for any schedule so far. He said that they would want us to sign the AAP form and I declined. End of story for now.
That's at Vandenberg AFB btw.

[MoOnFiReGlOw]

Yep, you owe them NOTHING!

You also happen to live in one of the blessed states that except a 'personal belief' exemption.

I'd ask for the regulation like the previous poster has said and go to the personal advocate if necessary. My husband was USAF as well and they loved to tell you to do things because they wanted it and spouted off some rule, but when asked to back it up they had nothing.

s

[AuburnBeth]

I'm not shy about my beliefs, but since the receptionist is the instigator of the "you must turn in the schedule" (she prompted the immunization administrator to remind my husband, after recognizing our name)... I just think it's probably her being vindictive(?).

I'm just frustrated that it's turning out this way. I'm doing my best to double check that the clinic has NO right to the information. If they have no right, then I'm not providing it to them. (BTW, the receptionist was amazingly combative and nasty to us on 3 separate occasions. This was so beyond "a bad day" type thing.)

[loveyourohana]

I am so sorry! You can deal with this though... its her problem apparently... her panties in a knot, its amazing what anothers belief can do... Just hold your head high, and know that you have the freedom to make a choice as a parent. You have done nothing wrong... and perhaps you could take your child outside of the military instead of putting up with any of this.

Do you have a MD ND anywhere available to you? Perhaps try listing in the find your tribe?

Your time is valuable too valuable to waste it on frustrations like this.

Thats my take on it anyway

Let us know how it goes.

[AuburnBeth]

Originally Posted by yarngoddess

I'm so sorry you are dealing with this!!! Like you don't have enough to deal with!!!

grin! I think if I had a hangnail I'd have better things to deal with than bureaucratic nonsense. Wouldn't you?

I'll certainly follow up on Thursday, on this same thread, as long as I can find it. Additional comments are still welcome. In the meantime, I'll probably return to lurkdom. Though I've not spoken here before this issue, I've appreciated having a forum to read and relate to whilst living/growing as a parent in a community that's pursuing a very different path than I am. Reading here reminds me that I'm *not* unique, I'm *not* odd, I'm *not* alone, just not like my family and many of my peers.

And I'm so grateful to have a spouse who lets me do all the research, and then discusses it with me, and **BACKS ME UP!** That's priceless! (He's moving heaven and earth to be at the immunization clinic with us on Thursday.)

[AuburnBeth]

This trip isn't happening tomorrow! Little guy popped a high fever last night, soooo... not going until he's been fever free for a few days *and* I make sure that the tiny guy isn't going to fever up.

I'll still check for responses, and will follow up when it happens.

Thank you!

[mom2tig99Nroo03]

i hope your littlest stays healthy and the older gets well quick

[In Exile]

AuburnBeth, you don't owe them ANYTHING. That's just some kind of thing to intimidate you and get back at you. You did not join the military, your husband did.
Nice try of going after people for "disobedience" though.

Next time a receptionist goes after you- she needs to know what her job is. She can throw a hissy and your allowed to be upset-just tell you are not obligated to do so, ask for the exact regulation and otherwise tell her you are not debating the issue any further, SINCE you are not obligated to do anything like this.

If that fails simply ask "are you harassing me?" and repeat that if necessary.

[AuburnBeth]

Thanks again ladies! Good thoughts for us tomorrow, please!

[Emmeline II]

"Remember that you can file ICE reports online for ANY bad and good experiences you have at any military facility (military doctor, the commissary, exchange, etc.). They will always follow up on your report and try to remedy the situation. The ICE system is done through DOD and stands for Interactive Customer Evaluation."

http://ice.disa.mil/

[wifeandmommy2-4]

Originally Posted by Emmeline II

"Remember that you can file ICE reports online for ANY bad and good experiences you have at any military facility (military doctor, the commissary, exchange, etc.). They will always follow up on your report and try to remedy the situation. The ICE system is done through DOD and stands for Interactive Customer Evaluation."

http://ice.disa.mil/

I urge you to file a complaint with ICE! Your post commander wants to know when things like this happen! I had to use it just a few weeks ago and had a 4 hr turn around!
Remember, the clinics are there for YOUR benefit and to work for YOU!! You as a service members family do not have to put up with this type of treatment!! Give the commanders on post a chance to help!!