Vaccination Exemptions and Private School

[Adallae]

DD is just 7 months, but I've already begun researching our options regarding preschool. A local Montessori notes on their website that all children must been fully vaccinated to attend. We were planning on filing a philosophical exemption when it comes time for school.

Does anyone know if state exemptions can be used for private schools, or just public? Are we limited to the private schools that don't require kids to be fully vaxed? It's so hard to find this information online.

[Deborah]

There have been huge discussions on this topic in the past.

I'm not sure if it would be possible to use the law to override the school rules in some cases, but it would not make for a pleasant beginning to your relationship to the school.

I'd suggest that parents who want the private school option open a conversation with the schools, pointing out that they are losing paying customers. Since most private schools are desperate for students, this may do some good. Since vaccination status is private information, they are not required to let other parents know who is vaxed and who isn't, which means they can't call on peer pressure to enforce vaccines.

[Emmeline II]

CA law applies to public and private institutions.

[Grace and Granola]

I do not vax my boys, but I'm also not one to bring it up or welcome conflict over it. I know MY reasons for not vaxing, but I'm not well versed enough to debate it. When I signed my son up for his preschool, I sent his application with the doctor's physical exam form and the vax waiver form. This all went in the mail with the check for the first payment. I just went under the assumption that if there was a problem, they would let me know. They never said anything to me, and therefore I never had to say anything to them! There was never ever any kind of bad vibes or different treatment of me or my kids during our year at the school. It was a private preschool.

[KatWozBlue]

I think it depends on the school. My daughter's preschool does not allow for exemptions, though they do allow you to be delaying them, but for example chicken pox vaccine or proof that they had chicken pox was a requirement (required by the department of children and family and they check the files once a year to make sure which is why the school was pretty strict about it) and my daughter got it right before she started. My son's school allows parents to file for exemptions (also private, but K-12), and if parents do it remains confidential. I think you can look and find schools that are both sides of the spectrum, private or not. Good luck!

[Emmeline II]

Originally Posted by KatWozBlue

I think it depends on the school. My daughter's preschool does not allow for exemptions, though they do allow you to be delaying them, but for example chicken pox vaccine or proof that they had chicken pox was a requirement (required by the department of children and family and they check the files once a year to make sure which is why the school was pretty strict about it) and my daughter got it right before she started. My son's school allows parents to file for exemptions (also private, but K-12), and if parents do it remains confidential. I think you can look and find schools that are both sides of the spectrum, private or not. Good luck!

The schools have to follow state law. NJ allows religious schools to reject religious exemptions; Florida vaccination law (which includes exemptions) applies to both public and non-public schools; your school's administration appears to be misinformed on the law--they have no more right to reject an exemption than a public school.

[kbins]

In our state, private schools that don't take federal funds do not have to accept the state;s exemptions. Specifically - the Catholic diocese both in Austin and Dallas requires vax's for Catholic schools, and doesn't accept the exemption. The state attorney general has issued an opinion that supports them. Someone is suing the diocese but it doesn't look promising.

So, not every private school 'has' to accept an exemption.

[Emmeline II]

Originally Posted by kbins

In our state, private schools that don't take federal funds do not have to accept the state;s exemptions. Specifically - the Catholic diocese both in Austin and Dallas requires vax's for Catholic schools, and doesn't accept the exemption. The state attorney general has issued an opinion that supports them. Someone is suing the diocese but it doesn't look promising.

So, not every private school 'has' to accept an exemption.

Strange; Texas law specifies both public and private schools and does not exclude religious schools.

[kbins]

TX Attorney General opinion ga0420

"Whether private schools must accept for
enrollment children who have received an
exemption from the immunizations required by the
Texas Health and Safety Code"

"We conclude therefore that a private school that does not accept state tax funds is not required to accept for enrollment a child who has received an exemption from the immunizations required by the Health and Safety Code."

http://www.oag.state.tx.us/opinions/...pdf/ga0420.pdf

I know the original OP was from CA - just wanted this info out there for any TX moms reviewing this thread. This sucks on many levels

[rabrog]

Alaska law states that private schools (daycares included) have to follow the same guidelines as public schools so they have to accept vax exemptions (we have medical and religious here).

Jenn

[mcgee]

Also in Texas here. The religious preschool we use states that vaccines must be up to date in their handbook, but a quick call to the director confirmed that they accept the state's exemption form. So for the OP, narrow down your choices for schools and then schedule a call with the director to ask questions about their program. In the course of conversation, ask if they accept vaccine exemptions. If they don't, they'll tell you upfront, and you won't have to waste time visiting a program that won't accept your child.

[Deborah]

And eventually, if they get enough calls like that, they'll realize that rejecting exemptions is costing them students. As I said earlier, very few private schools have waiting lists at the moment, so losing paying students is painful.