I am doing research on various government assistance programs in my state and I came across this little blurb. OK, I just realized I can't cut and paste it as it's a pdf file, but basically it says that all children under 18 whose parents receive cash assistance must be immunized according to the Federal guidelines.
There are ways to get out of it, waivers and such, but they do look like a hassle. This state is pretty lax about vaccination requirements but these look a bit more stringent guidelines than for just anyone. For example, it says that religious obligations can be waivered, but personal choice "is not an allowable exemption." And that if a child is not vaccinated without a doctor's note or valid waiver, assistance will not be given to the family. Moreover, if a parent refuses to comply with the immunizations, the governement will stage one "intervention" where they essentially bully you into getting the vaxes. This per the official policy page. WTF?
Why exactly is this the case? I mean I get that people would want to ensure that everyone is as healthy as can be if they're going to be on government assistance, but it just seems... I don't know. Unduly intrusive, maybe. Like, if you're low income you're not able to make your own decisions on vaxing? Or they just assume that if you're low income you really WANT vaxes but you're too lazy to go get them unless forced to? Maybe I'm reading wayyyy too deeply into this but it just rubs me the wrong way. Is this the case with all the other states too?
There are ways to get out of it, waivers and such, but they do look like a hassle. This state is pretty lax about vaccination requirements but these look a bit more stringent guidelines than for just anyone. For example, it says that religious obligations can be waivered, but personal choice "is not an allowable exemption." And that if a child is not vaccinated without a doctor's note or valid waiver, assistance will not be given to the family. Moreover, if a parent refuses to comply with the immunizations, the governement will stage one "intervention" where they essentially bully you into getting the vaxes. This per the official policy page. WTF?
Why exactly is this the case? I mean I get that people would want to ensure that everyone is as healthy as can be if they're going to be on government assistance, but it just seems... I don't know. Unduly intrusive, maybe. Like, if you're low income you're not able to make your own decisions on vaxing? Or they just assume that if you're low income you really WANT vaxes but you're too lazy to go get them unless forced to? Maybe I'm reading wayyyy too deeply into this but it just rubs me the wrong way. Is this the case with all the other states too?
