Exemptions in Ohio

[staceyshoe]

We're registering ds1 for K and he has not had any vax. Our current plan is not to vax, and I've scheduled his summer check-up with a dr who is supposed to be relatively supportive of the parents' right to choose. I prefer to get a med exemption because we aren't declining vaxes for religious reasons. Is this a possibility or do I need to get a religious exemption form? If so, do I get it from the health dept, school nurse, or someplace else?

[Marnica]

You can't file a medical exemption without a medical reason. Most medical exemptions are given for kids who had had serious adverse reactions to a previous vaccine. The exemption is just for that vaccine and it usually needs to be renewed yearly. Most docs (whether they are supportive of parental choice or not) will not grant medical exemptions unless under extreme circumstances as it often times puts their practice under scrutiny from puclic health officials.

You will need to file a religious exemption or a philisophical exemptions as you have that option in Ohio. (luckly you). Here are the laws and info for your state

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

[Momma2Kai]

lurker coming out

In Ohio you can have a medical, religious, or philosophical exemption. For medical exemptions, there needs to be medical validation (documented reaction or similar [medically fragile] reason) to qualify that exemption I think. I am a teacher and my school provides the medical exemption form to be filled out by the doctor, though I am not sure how other districts handle this.

My son is not school age, but I already am anxious about the day I hand over his exemption for K!

Here's a link:
http://www.nvic.org/Vaccine-Laws/sta...ents/ohio.aspx

[staceyshoe]

Thank you! That is so helpful!

[columbusmomma]

And you should be able to get the exemption from the school nurse too! Sounds like philosophical exemption would be fine.

[ASusan]

You can PM me and I can send you the version of the Ohio form we used for DS' daycare philosophical exemption.

[ASusan]

"good cause" is the philosophical exemption. There are a lot of things about Ohio that I don't like, but for this, I am thankful we are in Ohio and not back in NY.


Some of these have the school or distric name on them, which I'm sure you could edit, as I think the form would be the same throughout Ohio.

http://www.blackriver.k12.oh.us/pdf/...ption_form.pdf


http://ohiovaxinfo.jessicas-haven.co...nce-exempt.pdf

http://www.tuskyvalley.k12.oh.us/pow...ption_Form.doc

http://www.neola.com/massillon-oh/se...s/fm5320F2.pdf

[staceyshoe]

I'm feeling much more comfortable with this. I think I'll draft my own letter based on the examples that you've given, and I'll quote the section of the Ohio code and include some of the phrases from the sample forms.

[PaigeC]

Originally Posted by Momma2Kai

In Ohio you can have a medical, religious, or philosophical exemption. For medical exemptions, there needs to be medical validation (documented reaction or similar [medically fragile] reason) to qualify that exemption I think. I am a teacher and my school provides the medical exemption form to be filled out by the doctor, though I am not sure how other districts handle this.

My son is not school age, but I already am anxious about the day I hand over his exemption for K!

Here's a link:
http://www.nvic.org/Vaccine-Laws/sta...ents/ohio.aspx

Hi fellow Ohio ladies. My lo is very young yet but the bolded part above bothered me. It is not required by law to have a doctor's note - only a parental note:

A pupil who presents a written statement of the pupil's parent or guardian in which the parent or guardian declines to have the pupil immunized for reasons of conscience, including religious convictions, is not required to be immunized.

I know it is easier to not rock the boat. But, from homeschooling organizations I'm involved with they stress the importance of never doing more than the law requires. They usually refuse to fill out the districts form and supply their own letter with the required information. The idea that giving the school districts additional rights could erode the parental rights (see this case: http://www.hslda.org/docs/news/hslda/200107312.asp)

Just food for thought

[Amylcd]

It is not required by law to have a doctor's note - only a parental note:

A doctors note is required if you are trying to file a medical exemption. It's much easier to go the religious or philosophical route.

[PaigeC]

Originally Posted by Amylcd

A doctors note is required if you are trying to file a medical exemption. It's much easier to go the religious or philosophical route.

oh yes, thanks for the correction. I thought we were talking philo/religious. Some school districts have "form" for all exemptions though.