WIC and immunization requirment

[liz-hippymom]

ok- we are at a very POOR point right now. i used to have WIC for DS when he was an infant, but when i stopped immunizing they dropped me. now i want to get on it again (we meet the requirments now that i am pregnant) but niether DS or DSS are "up to date on immunizations". when i was working as a teacher in a daycare we just used a religious exemption form (texas). could this work for WIC? is there any way to get around this requirment ..we really need the help right now. i refuse to give my boys any further vaccine though, especially just because im told i HAVE to...
ive researched my descision and feel it is best for our fmaily, but i need this WIC.
any advice?

[Sasha_girl]

From everything I've learned about WIC immunizations are not a requirement. In fact, IIRC somebody here pulled the Patient Privacy Act on them regarding vaccines.

That said, a religious excemption should work fine. Just stand your ground and don't allow yourself to be bullied. Our WIC office shares space with the public health clinic, so you can imagine their attitude when we tell them we don't vax. Don't give an inch, don't act nervous. Simply state that vaccinations are against your religious beliefs.

[Tracy]

here are a few threads for more wic information.
I too understand that you are not forced to vax in order to get wic.

take a look:

http://www.mothering.com/discussions...hlight=welfare

http://www.mothering.com/discussions...hlight=welfare

[Tracy]

mods please read:

And here are more:


http://www.mothering.com/discussions...=why+vaccinate


http://www.mothering.com/discussions...=why+vaccinate


http://www.mothering.com/discussions...=why+vaccinate



http://www.mothering.com/discussions...=why+vaccinate


http://www.mothering.com/discussions...=why+vaccinate

http://www.mothering.com/discussions...=why+vaccinate






these aren't exactly WIC related but they are similiar in tone....



http://www.mothering.com/discussions...=why+vaccinate

http://www.mothering.com/discussions...=why+vaccinate



http://www.mothering.com/discussions...=why+vaccinate








NOTE TO MODS:
Can you please archive this thread and the threads that I have provided in the links.... We see to always have these WIC/medicaid/ Vax questions come up and it would be nice to just call up this one thread.

[phathui5]

I work for WIC in MD, and showing us your vax records is totally optional (though some staff may not make it sound that way). But I'm sure that you can get WIC by either not showing them the records at all or bringing in your exemption form. Also, WIC here will give you the vouchers whether you're "up to date" or not, they're just collecting statistics for the Health Department.

[liz-hippymom]

thank you so much!
i am so happy to know i can still go get WIC. it makes me mad that they told me last time that i couldnt renew my WIC because DS vacs werent up to date. now that i know i was just being bullied i wont be again!
thanks again.

[pilesoflaundry]

I didn't read any of the links posted but I know that TX has a philosophical exemption also ( I spell horribly sorry!!) and they passed a law that it's illegal to deny aid or have CPS bug you simply for not vaxing.

[DreamsInDigital]

I'm really glad that the OP'er asked this question because I know it comes up a lot and it seems the WIC people think that if parents don't know, they can get away with trying to bully them into vax'ing their kids or taking them off the program. It's not fair that they get away with this and hopefully archiving this topic will help more mothers know they don't have to vax their kids just for WIC.

[mattemma04]

I am in Ohio and was never denied WIC or medicaid for the kids because of non-vax status.They asked if I wanted to use that as proof of ID,and I just said we don't do shots. I think the texas vax info site PROVE might have some useful information for you if you are still in need of it.I know there was talk of trying to remove the recently added philosophical exemption.

OT:
A year or 2 ago when I was thinking about moving to FL I looked up their vax laws,and I did come across mention on some social service sites of reduced Welfare aid to families that were not UTD on vaccines.
Sara

[Tracy]

at some point we need to have an archive about this topic...as it comes up a lot.

bump for other thread.

tracy