Moms in Maine and Preschool-HELP-URGENT

[mainemommy1]

My son starts preschool in 3 weeks-they want his updated immunization schedule (we haven't had any shots). I was planning to turn in a religious exemption BUT according to this site-it appears that exemptions are ONLY for public school grades K-12 and not for daycares or preschools. I NEED any direction MAINE moms can provide.....There must be ONE MOM in Maine who has gone through this in the past year or so. PLEASE private message me! Also, if you are in the Kittery, South Berwick, ELiot, York areas.....please send me the names of the preschool your child attended without issue.....Also POrtsmouth area of NH would be ok too as it is closer. Thank you!Private messages are welcomed. I am loosing sleep over this so please please please Maine moms.....help me out here!

[mysticmomma]

what site are you looking at?

[mainemommy1]

http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/boh/ddc/_i...uirements.html

[lotus.blossom]

I'm in midcoast ME and my son is attending a private pre-school this fall. His school requires either a vaccination list or a note from doctor. I had my ped write up a note and I'm thinking it should work out fine. I'm sure there are other mamas in this school who don't follow the current schedule.

Hope you can get around it!

[mainemommy1]

I just read the rules of licensing of nursery schools in maine....and I think based on this-if the school is licensed by the state then I should be fine with an exemption....right??

A.Immunization

1.Certificate of immunization for children. For each child who is not attending public or private school, the facility shall require and have on file, within thirty (30) days of the child’s first admission to the facility, and updated annually thereafter, a Certificate of Immunization which clearly illustrates each child’s present immunization status. Each child’s record must reflect an up-to-date status according to the Day Care Immunization Standards set forth by the Maine Bureau of Health Immunization Program (based on recommendations made by the Centers for Disease Control’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices). Dates of immunization (month/day/year) and vaccine type shall be on file for each of the following vaccine-preventable diseases:

a)Measles;
b)Mumps;
c)Rubella;
d)Diphtheria;
e)Pertussis;
f)Polio;
g)Tetanus;
h)Haemophilus influenzae Type b;
i)Varicella;
j)Hepatitis B; and
k)Pneumococcal conjugate;

2.Blood test demonstrating immunity. A blood test demonstrating immunity to measles, mumps, and rubella can be provided as proof of immunity. Evidence of this shall be kept on file, and updated in a timely manner.

3. Exceptions to proof of immunity. No child shall be required under this rule to
have any such immunization if his/her parent(s) states in writing a sincere
religious or philosophical belief that it is contrary to the immunization
requirements of this subsection or if the child’s physician submits documentation
that immunization against one or more of the diseases is medically inadvisable.
A written statement must be included in the record of any child for whom such
an exemption is being claimed.
In the event of a disease outbreak, children or staff not vaccinated for religious,
philosophical, or medical reasons must be excluded from the program until the
outbreak no longer exists, or until the child receives the necessary immunization.

4. Certificate of immunization for staff. For staff born after 1956, the Nursery
School shall obtain and have available a Certificate of Immunization for
measles, mumps, rubella, tetanus and diphtheria. A laboratory blood test proving
immunity may also be accepted. Documentation of immunity against measles,
mumps and rubella is not required for staff born prior to 1957. No person shall
be required to provide such documentation if she/he provides in writing the
opposition for sincere religious or philosophical reasons or provides written
documentation from a physician that such immunization is medically
inadvisable.

5. Documenting exemptions to immunization. The Nursery School shall
maintain a list of enrollees and staff exempted for religious, philosophical or
medical reasons.

6. Immunization records and reporting requirements. The facility shall make
immunization records available to the Department of Health and Human
Services, Bureau of Health upon request, and is responsible for the timely
completion of the Annual Immunization Assessment Report as requested by the
Department.

[mysticmomma]

I just read the rules of licensing of nursery schools in maine....and I think based on this-if the school is licensed by the state then I should be fine with an exemption....right??

yes

[Gitti]

If they require the shot records of your child they must also offer the religious exemption.

Let me see what Maine has.

http://www.vaclib.org/exempt/maine.htm

Gosh, Maine has all three exemptions. You should not have a problem at all.

Just hand in a religious exemption and see what happens. Here is what I would write:

(We / I) {First and Last name(s)}, as the {(parent (s) / guardian(s)}of _________________________(name of child) are/am exercising (our/my) rights under the First Amendment of the US Constitution and 20-A M.R.S. § 6355(3) to receive Religious Exemption from Vaccination.

Applicable law has been interpreted to mean that a religious belief is subject to protection even though no religious group espouses such beliefs or the fact that the religious group to which the individual professes to belong may not advocate or require such belief. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as amended Nov. 1, 1980; Part 1605.1-Guidelines on Discrimination Because of Religion.

Please keep this document in my child's school file.

Thank you,
Sincerely....

That should do it.

[Jugs]

^^Since Maine does require a sincere religious belief, I would also add a blurb stating something like "The practice of vaccination conflicts with our personal religious beliefs." You don't need to elaborate, but you do need to make it clear that you are seeking an exemption because of your beliefs, not just because an exemption exists, kwim?