Congratulations! Now get your newborn vaxed for a "happy life"!

[filiadeluna]

Ugh. I received a greeting card in the mail with all these cute, furry, baby animals on it. The front reads: "Your Bundle of Joy Has Arrived!"

The inside reads:

"A darling little baby
to cuddle and adore
To spoil a little and love a lot-
who could ask for more!

Congratulations on the new addition to your family. As parents, we know how excited you must be. Remember, the path to a happy life begins with a healthy baby. Please take your infant to be immunized before two months of age. : Again, congratulations on your new arrival!" (haha too late on that one... she turned 2 months last week)

-Signed by Governor & First Lady of TN (stamped signature of course)

"Children born in Tennessee are automatically enrolled in the state immunization registry which maintains a record of immunizations submitted to it. Enrollment is not mandatory, for more information, contact the Tennessee Department of Health Immunization Program."



They conveniently included a growth chart and immunization record. Even worse, on the back it says "Hallmark is committed to encouraging childhood immunizations. We donated this card to your state as part of a national effort to help protect the health of your youngest citizens."

I am slightly offended (but mostly annoyed) by this whole thing... anyone else? Ugh. I have not yet decided whether my baby will remain completely unvaxed or if I will do delayed/selective vax, but she will definitely not be getting any vaxes until she's much older - if any at all. My parents delayed vax until I was 4, and I probably wouldn't have had any at all except my mom didn't know about exemptions.

[eireann]

wow. ugh. i got a letter reminding me that DD was "behind" on her vaxes...no, no she's not but tha - no nevermind the thanks. she's not.

[lurve]

i got a similar thing and i am in arizona. on the back was a list of spaces to fill out for all the shots - and it showed 24 shots for the first 24 months!!!!

[mammy bear]

:Puke


That's the last time I ever buy a Hallmark card :

[becca_howell]

FL has the registry too. It's called Florida Shots. When we got food stamps (had a really rough year) last year, I was stupid and answered "no" for the "Are your children up to date on their vaccinations?" question. My mailbox started getting flooded with state health department "reminder" cards. I wanted to send them back with a flaming letter, but decided to stay off the radar. DD is partially vaxed, and DS is unvaxed and one of the healthiest babies I've ever seen! I'll take my kids vax-free, thanks!

[becca_howell]

Originally Posted by mammy bear

:Puke


That's the last time I ever buy a Hallmark card :

I've started making my own cards and LOVE it! Hallmark is overpriced, and OBVIOUSLY not spending their money wisely!!

[just_lily]

Being automatically enrolled really annoys me. I live in Alberta and just got a letter from the government telling me I was due for a Pap test. Apparently we have a registry for that now too. : I called and told them I really don't want the government knowing anything about my cervix.

And I will definitely be rethinking buying any Hallmark cards from now on.

[filiadeluna]

^ WOAH! A registry for GYN exams? Now that is just weird. What is the motivation behind that, I wonder?

Yeah so I took Isobel for her 2 month appointment today. The doctor did ask (very nicely - not pushy at all!), "Now, are you doing shots?" to which I responded, "I'm still researching them. If I do any shots they will be delayed until she's a lot older." He said, "OK, we can talk about them at the next appointment. If you decide not to do any shots you can just sign some papers saying you know the risks, etc." He is very open minded about the vax issue. It didn't seem threatening to me at all. I do think it's silly that you have to sign papers about it. Shouldn't parents have to sign papers about knowing the risks of GETTING shots??? :

[Fyrestorm]

Originally Posted by filiadeluna

He said, "OK, we can talk about them at the next appointment. If you decide not to do any shots you can just sign some papers saying you know the risks, etc." He is very open minded about the vax issue. It didn't seem threatening to me at all. I do think it's silly that you have to sign papers about it. Shouldn't parents have to sign papers about knowing the risks of GETTING shots??? :

It's called the bad mommy form and it's not a legal document and you don't have to sign it.

[AislinCarys]

They have register here in New Zealand too, but vaxes aren't mandatory, not even for school, and while your baby does automatically get on it at birth, you are entitled to opt out. However, the law says that any info they have on your child they get to keep.

From your birth records they get mother's name, date of birth, place of birth, home address and possibly gender (don't remember). So they kept sending out letters wanting me to add everything, like baby's name, our dr etc (I presume once they have the dr they can get the details of him). we didn't answer. So they rang. And I told them I wanted my child off their register. She kept pushing, asking my DDs name etc. I just repeated I wanted my child off their register. "But has she had any vaxes?" she asked. I repeated it again, and added that I knew that they got to keep any info I gave them so I wouldn't give her any at all.

[Devaskyla]

Being automatically enrolled really annoys me. I live in Alberta and just got a letter from the government telling me I was due for a Pap test. Apparently we have a registry for that now too. I called and told them I really don't want the government knowing anything about my cervix.

That's kind of funny. Clearly I'm not on their radar since I'm *way* overdue for one.

[mamakah]

Originally Posted by mammy bear

:Puke


That's the last time I ever buy a Hallmark card :

me too.