Resorts in Mexico/Caribbean require vaxes are up to date, what are my rights?

[mommyshoppinghabit]

My kids are not vaxed at all. We are thinking of taking them to one of those massive resorts w/kids club. Seems that one or all of them require medical forms that the children have received all their shots. Are there such things as waivers in this situation?
Eta: I don't mean obviously that the hotel requires confirmation of vaxes to enter the hotel, just only to join the kids club activities.

[Marnica]

So wierd, I ve never heard of that!

I would think exemptions would mean nothing in this case as there are no laws governing kids clubs (and it's Mexico anyway and our laws mean diddly there) and it would be at the discretion of the hotel to decide if they would except an exemption or not. I would call and ask...tell them you are religiously opposed and can provide them with an American religious waiver.

I would think they could care less about the waiver and will most likely just tell you it's hotel policy, but it's worth a call.

If they won't take your kids, then go anyway and have fun without the club activities.

[orca]

We've been to many large, all inclusive type resorts in Mexico with our unvaccinated children. When you sign up for the kids clubs they are not looking for evidence of vaccination. Just nod your head and tick off the part that says they are all up to date. It is none of their business and they have absolutely no way of knowing if they've had them or not. It has never been an issue for us. Although I've had a few doctors here in Canada practically faint when they heard we took our kids there without any vaccines... Have fun and enjoy your trip!

[heathergirl67]

Originally Posted by orca

We've been to many large, all inclusive type resorts in Mexico with our unvaccinated children. When you sign up for the kids clubs they are not looking for evidence of vaccination. Just nod your head and tick off the part that says they are all up to date. It is none of their business and they have absolutely no way of knowing if they've had them or not. It has never been an issue for us. Although I've had a few doctors here in Canada practically faint when they heard we took our kids there without any vaccines... Have fun and enjoy your trip!

That's a good point. When parents bring their fully vaxxed kids to those hotels I'm sure that they don't bring their vax records, too. So just like PP said, they probably don't require proof. They're just relying on the honesty of the parents.

[mommyshoppinghabit]

OK, I fell in love w/ the Club Med program and they do require a vaccine certificate, whatever that looks like, for my 2 yr old to be in their daily programs. OK, so I'll at least be able to drop off my older child and just have to look after the 2 yr old all day, unless I can fake it somehow. Even if not, I guess it won't be so bad, I just won't be able to sit back and close my eyes throughout the day.

[Jugs]

Club Med's wording is tricky because they say that children must meet the "minimum vaccination requirements"... but vaccines aren't required by law, so I'm guessing you could try to meet the "minimum requirements" by submitting an exemption in place of vax records. Its also interesting that they don't require a vax record for children over age 4...

[orca]

These resorts are in the business of serving their customers and providing them with a hassle free holiday. I'd be surprised if they actually asked for proof when you get there (we've never been asked to actually produce evidence). And if they do, my experience with Mexican resorts is that everyone is very relaxed about the "details". Tell them you totally forgot to bring the papers with you and that you'll call your mom tomorrow and have her fax them right away. I can almost guarantee they'll have forgotten about it by the next day and you can go ahead with enjoying your holiday. If for some super unusual reason they really give you a hard time about it, ask for the resort manager and s/he will take care of it for you. If you are there for a week or so it will be easy to stall and delay while your child participates in the activities. Honestly, we've been to half a dozen different 5 star resorts all over Mexico and it has never been a problem.

[JBaxter]

Ive been to Mexico ( Xcaret) and Costa Rica and will be sunning my buns ( figuratively) in Punta Cana in 2 weeks. Ive never been asked about a vaccine record.

[Mamato3wild ponnie]

I live in Mexico and honestly, they can care less what your child has or hasnt had. Just go and come back and tell us all about it!

[xmasbaby7]

I saw this in a US resort, The Red Rock Resort in Las Vegas has it on its website, too.

My thinking is that this is a legal requirement initiated behind the liability insurance policy of the hotel in order to indemnify them.