Help a Missouri mommy!

[PenelopeJune]

The school nurse at my son's school told me that to get a religious exemption we have to have a letter from a pastor. This isn't true in Missouri, is it? I've looked at EVERYTHING and nothing I read says this. Right now he's in preschool on a parental exemption, but I can't do this next year when he goes to kindergarten.

[SunshineJ]

Originally Posted by PenelopeJune

The school nurse at my son's school told me that to get a religious exemption we have to have a letter from a pastor. This isn't true in Missouri, is it? I've looked at EVERYTHING and nothing I read says this. Right now he's in preschool on a parental exemption, but I can't do this next year when he goes to kindergarten.

NO that is absolutely NOT TRUE!! Unless things have changed in the 4 months since we lived there you certainly do NOT need a letter from any type of religious leader and I do believe it is illegal on a federal level to demand one. Go to the local health department. They will have a small card (I think it's 3"x5") preprinted. Ask for the religious exemption card, fill it out and turn it in to the school nurse. That's ALL you have to do. If she gives you any more trouble tell her to call the health department.

[Fyrestorm]

Also, ask for all requests in writing. If she knows the law (which she most likely does) she will not put it in writing since she is going against the law.

[Emmeline II]

Originally Posted by SunshineJ

NO that is absolutely NOT TRUE!! Unless things have changed in the 4 months since we lived there you certainly do NOT need a letter from any type of religious leader and I do believe it is illegal on a federal level to demand one. Go to the local health department. They will have a small card (I think it's 3"x5") preprinted. Ask for the religious exemption card, fill it out and turn it in to the school nurse. That's ALL you have to do. If she gives you any more trouble tell her to call the health department.

Yes, here is the Missouri Law:

A child is exempt if a parent objects in writing to the school administrator that immunization of that child violates his/her religious beliefs. This exemption should be made on a Department of Health and Senior Services Form Imm.P.11A, and shall be placed on file with the school immunization health record.

Easy peasy.

[PenelopeJune]

Thank you all. I KNEW this wasn't true, but you know how it is when someone really knows their stuff and tells you that it is true.

I am going to go and find that form now. He won't need it until I enroll him in kindergarten in April, but I want to have it on file. I have a feeling the nurse is going to have a coniption about this. I never wanted to be That Mom, the one the teachers/administrators hate. Guess I'm going to start out on the right foot here.

ETA: It's a teeny tiny school. I am one of two parents who object to vaxxing. Yay me. (The other parent has a medical exemption.)

[bbrandonsmom]

Let us know how it goes. Wonder if she gives you any trouble.

[PenelopeJune]

Oops

[PenelopeJune]

Here's my plan: I'm going to turn in the parental exemption for preschool for this year, then in April when it's time for enrollment, I'm going to just go to the health center, get form Imm.P.11A, and turn it in like it's no big thing. I will be exceedingly polite, declining to answer the nurse's questions on my religion because I "wouldn't want to get her in trouble for asking." And if she has questions, I will have printouts from the Missouri website with all the laws on it.