Quote:
Originally Posted by Jen78fl  Just found this online under Florida vaccine requirements..
A Religious Exemption From Immunization (DH form 681) can be issued if immunizations are in conflict with the religious tenets and practices of the child's parent or guardian. This exemption can be issued only by a county health department and only based on established religious beliefs or practices.
So does this mean I have to explain about my religion? I thought I wouldnt have to do that and could just tell them that vaccinating is against my beliefs..
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I'm in Florida (Duval County) and have 3 children in school with the exemption. I got the run around with each one, by the 3rd one, just enrolled this year, I had it down, lol. I had the FL STATE DEPT of IMM in Tallahassee phone number programmed into my phone. I hate to drive, but made the trip downtown in the pouring down rain to the health dept, only to be told they were busy and I would have to come back tomorrow, no way. While I was making calls to the state immunization dept, a well dressed man came in, I heard him say, "I only need a signaure, you can't do that, I will wait". Turns out he was an attorney who helps children injured via vaccine, his own child was injured. He was getting an exemption for his son, was there around noon and was told same thing, too busy, come back around 3p. So he was on his 2nd trip there that day, and I'm sure he had better things to do. End result, we both got our exemptions, so if you need any help or support, send me a line.
The health dept should not be attempting to sway you in any way, propaganda would not affect a claim for a religious exemption, you will not be changing your religious beliefs based on that.
I will copy a previous post of mine that has more information....
FLORIDA Exemption Information
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I've seen a few questions lately wrt exemption info in Florida, so I am copying a post from a previous thread,
Florida Law wrt exemptions:
Print out a copy of the law and take it with you if needed.
http://www.flsenate.gov/Statutes/ind...earch_String=& URL=Ch1003/SEC22.HTM&Title=->2005->Ch1003->Section%2022#1003.22
Also see this, the ssn on the religious waiver has nothing to do with the SHOTS program, there is a completely different form for opting out of that program, no where does it state you are automatically opted out by submitting a religious exemption.
BEGIN COPY/PASTE:
7) Florida SHOTS (State Health Online Tracking System) Opt Out Provision - Parents or guardians may elect to decline participation in the Florida immunization registry, Florida SHOTS, by completing a DH Form 1478, Florida SHOTS Notification and Opt Out Form, as incorporated by reference in subsection 64D-3.011(10), F.A.C. and returning the form to the Department of Health. The immunization records of children whose parents choose to opt-out will not be shared with other entities that are allowed by law to have access to the child's immunization record via authorized access to Florida SHOTS.
(8) Florida SHOTS Private Provider Participation - Any health care practitioner licensed in Florida under Chapter 458, 459 or 464, Florida Statutes may request authorization to access Florida SHOTS by filling out a DOH Form 1479, Authorized Private Provider User Agreement for Access to Florida SHOTS (Florida State Health Online Tracking System), as incorporated by reference in subsection 64D-3.011(10), F.A.C. The DOH Form 1479 will be returned to the Department of Health for processing and authorization to access Florida SHOTS. Notification of access approval and instructions for accessing Florida SHOTS will be provided by the Department of Health. The authorized user and the applicable licensing authority or agency shall notify the Department of Health Bureau of Immunization Florida SHOTS personnel when an authorized user's license or registration has expired or has been suspended or revoked.
END COPY/PASTE
http://www.doh.state.fl.us/Disease_c...munity/64d.htm
Here's the form to opt out, must be signed by the parent making the request,
http://www.flshots.org/_pdfs/OptOutDH-1478.pdf
And here are the Florida Immunization Guidelines spelled out,
http://www.doh.state.fl.us/Disease_c...choolguide.pdf
You should print this out for your records because they keep changing the links to it. At the very least, print page 18 which explains the religious exemption but mentions NOTHING about any other requirements to obtain,
VI. Religious Exemption from Immunization (DH 681)
A. Request for Religious Exemption:
1. A request for a religious exemption from immunization requirements
must be presented on the Department of Health’s Religious Exemption
From Immunization form (DH 681).
2. The DH 681 is issued ONLY by county health departments and ONLY
for a child who is not immunized because of his/her family’s religious
tenets or practices.
{my note, they have since updated this information, as of March 2007, and lookie lookie what they added to # 2 above. So obviously we are having some IMPACT with these people,}
If a parent requests such an exemption, the county health department staff must use the current DH 681 Form, which has been signed by the parent affirming the written statement on the form that a religious conflict exists.
This form must be issued upon request.
No other information should be solicited from the parent or guardian.
**********************end of newly added info **************
B. Completion of DH 681: The following information must be completed on the
DH 681:
1. The child's complete name, date of birth, and parent or guardian’s name.
The child’s social security number (SS#) is optional.
2. Parent's (or guardian's) signature and date of signature.
3. County health department stamp, signature of the county health
department director/administrator or their authorized designee, and date
the form is issued.
C. Retention of Form: The DH 681 will be kept on file at the school, preschool,
child care facility, or family day care home in order to facilitate identification
of any unimmunized/susceptible children needing exclusion during an
outbreak of a vaccine-preventable disease.
D. Consistency With Florida Law: Requests for religious exemption from
immunizations should be consistent with section 232.032, Florida Statutes.
Exemptions for personal or philosophical reasons are not permitted
under Florida law.
