Mothering › Forums › Health › Vaccinations › five year old vaccinations
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

five year old vaccinations

post #1 of 13
Thread Starter 
Hi, I am at a loss of what to do with my DS who is entering kindergarten and needs his immunizations. We are in MA. I did the titers for MMR and he is fine, but he needs the others. We have immunized up to now, although I feel differently about them now that he is older--and has lots of allergies and asthma and possible adhd.

Can I just give them an exemption letter even though we have immunized up to this point? Is that weird, or will no one care??

Are there any immunizations that we shoudl give??

TIA
post #2 of 13
You can also check titres for CP, unless they've changed the rules. I think you just have to say that he was exposed at some point (unless he had it naturally). My children were exposed, didn't seem to get it, but that doesn't matter--the titres can then be run. I would file the exemption. That way, you can choose when and what to do on your own schedule--whether it's no more shots, or shots at a time when you feel more comfortable.
post #3 of 13
One tip is to not present the previous vaccinations done. I'm not saying to lie and say they weren't done, but don't present the vaccinations done previously and an exemption letter, that can cause some issues. Just present the exemption letter.

If it comes up that there were previous vaccinations, then you explain that you had a religious awakening in the interceding time. You are of course legally allowed to change your beliefs.

However, just so you know, you can't selectively vaccinate from now on. You can't present an exemption letter and then say "oh, but we'll vaccinate for just ______." Its all or nothing.

We are in a similar situation; DD was vaxed up to 9 months and we're also in MA. I haven't presented her exemption letter yet so I don't know how it will go. From what I've read here, it seems like most often, it goes without a hitch, no big deal. A few times there are some raised eyebrows and challenges - if so, answer as few questions as possible (unless you actually ARE JW, for example, don't tell them what religion you are and just say that you are constitutionally protected). You don't have to be any particular religion to ask for an exemption. Also note that you need to be religiously opposed to the PRACTICE of vaccination.

DH is a little worried about how this will go over but since we're willing to homeschool, I figure it's no big deal. Either the exemption goes fine, or we decide whether to homeschool or vaccinate. Personally I don't want to vaccinate, but just leaving all the options open.
post #4 of 13
I did... You can change your "religious" beliefs at any point in your life. I believe God has intrusted me to care for my children the best way I know how. SO stopping mass vaccinations is part of that belief
post #5 of 13
Quote:
Originally Posted by nicolebeth View Post
I would file the exemption. That way, you can choose when and what to do on your own schedule--whether it's no more shots, or shots at a time when you feel more comfortable.
Just to be clear, your only choices when you file an exemption are "no more vaccinations" or "do all vaccinations and throw away the exemption." You can't pick and choose or go back and forth.
post #6 of 13
Quote:
Originally Posted by laohaire View Post
Just to be clear, your only choices when you file an exemption are "no more vaccinations" or "do all vaccinations and throw away the exemption." You can't pick and choose or go back and forth.
You can, just don't tell the school he got the vaxes. They can't access his medical records without your permission. The school my dd went to doesn't know about a single vax that she had. I just left the whole thing blank and signed the exemption.
post #7 of 13
in some states they have vaccine registries that anyone can access that you cannot opt out of.
post #8 of 13
Quote:
Originally Posted by mysticmomma View Post
in some states they have vaccine registries that anyone can access that you cannot opt out of.
I doubt they'd take the time to look, esp if you claimed your child didn't have ANY vaxes. BUT, that being said, I don't give schools my dd's SSN. I'm hoping that would make it harder for them to look her up. I just lie and say she doesn't have one. The doctor and health ins company doesn't have it either. The only ppl that have it are me and the IRS and the SSA. I'm being very careful about protecting my children's private information until they NEED to actually start using it KWIM? Oh, the bank has it too for their educational IRAs.
post #9 of 13
New York is one state that does take the time to look. And you can look up the information without SSN's, and you end up in the database without an SSN. I think NY is a little over zealous though.
post #10 of 13
Quote:
Originally Posted by mysticmomma View Post
New York is one state that does take the time to look. And you can look up the information without SSN's, and you end up in the database without an SSN. I think NY is a little over zealous though.
There still has to be a way to get vaxes later on without them knowing. I mean, if you showed up at the health dept without ID and said your kid's name was Joe Schmoo, would they deny you a vax?

In places like NY though, it's probably best to just get the ones you want before kindy, then file the exemption.
post #11 of 13
Quote:
Originally Posted by moondiapers View Post
You can, just don't tell the school he got the vaxes. They can't access his medical records without your permission. The school my dd went to doesn't know about a single vax that she had. I just left the whole thing blank and signed the exemption.
Exactly. If you're turning in an exemption, it doesn't matter what you later choose to do/not to do.
post #12 of 13
Hi there, I also live in MA and my childrn are entering public school after homeschooling.

I simply copied only the front of the form from the dr. and not the back which showed I had done some vaccines when they were babies and then discontinued. I also provided them with a letter that stated that "I am providing you with this statement in compliance with MA statute (I forget the # but I could get it for you) that my children are not vaccinated in accordance with our religious beliefs. I signed it, handed it in, and haven't heard a word.

I also do not provide my childrens' S.S numbers.

I don't anticipate you will have any problems.

~Catherine
post #13 of 13
Quote:
Originally Posted by mysticmomma View Post
in some states they have vaccine registries that anyone can access that you cannot opt out of.
NC has one that you can not opt out of. I haven't really had a problem. I have done some vaxes after my kid started school and no one has caught it. If you really want the vaxes, I think you should at least try.
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Vaccinations
Mothering › Forums › Health › Vaccinations › five year old vaccinations