HELP PLEASE: day care/preschool "refusal to vaccinate" form - Page 2

[serenbat]

I have no idea if mine participates, or if I could trust them enough to ask, but I definitely want to find out whether my son is on it already or not. Because if he isn't on it (or even if he was) and they would agree to NOT enter any new vaxes received in the future on it, then how would it be a problem in the future?

The problem is finding out- you can't just look and see. You would have to ask your dr. directly if they use the system or not and than you have to consider if your school district does or does not. Your dr. might not and your school might. There are things to all think about, if your insurance changes and you have to change dr.s or change school districts or the school decides to start using the system in the future.

To me the future doesn't just stop at high school level, think state school for college, (nursing programs, certain jobs within the state) etc.

The exemption is really for non-vac parent rights, not for delay/selective.
Anything could change at any time with the state and what they require.

[newmum35]

Originally Posted by serenbat

sorry but I would not rely on someone's random site- use the official state site for correct info

we DO NOT have a personal exemption in PA the "form" you listed is not a state required form


http://www.mothering.com/discussions....php?t=1220893 (state sites are listed in thread)
you can also call the Pa health dept and they will tell you the correct information

I wonder if its possible PA USED to be a "personal beliefs" state.. it does say "(updated January 22, 2007)" before that map.
Do you think they dropped this option in the past 3 years?

What about the other 20 or so states with personal belief exemptions? How does that work- did they always have them or were they later added after medical and religious were already in place? (just wondering if there's any hope for my state to also adding a "personal" exemption in years to come, or whether they might have already had one in the past and dropped it for some reason)

[newmum35]

just an update. I would really like to fill out my papers and hand in my exemption this week, to see when my son might be able to start school. I am having a hard time deciding which exemption to go with, and whether or not to get it notarized. I like Emmeline's except it does seem kind of techical. Is this suggested because it has been successfully used by other PA parents in the past? I also still can't figure out which part I'm supposed to change, and what I'm supposed to change it to.

The woodlands form was nice but it did look rather crude when printed out and Im still not sure whether if I leave the comments blank it might be rejected.

So that leaves me with my own statement, but if I do so and it is not notarized, it doesn't look very professional and I am certainly all for "avoiding hassle" ... so back to Emmelines suggested exemption again. I'm going in circles here trying to decide.

any other suggestions?

[newmum35]

Originally Posted by serenbat

The problem is finding out- you can't just look and see. You would have to ask your dr. directly if they use the system or not and than you have to consider if your school district does or does not. Your dr. might not and your school might. There are things to all think about, if your insurance changes and you have to change dr.s or change school districts or the school decides to start using the system in the future.

To me the future doesn't just stop at high school level, think state school for college, (nursing programs, certain jobs within the state) etc.

The exemption is really for non-vac parent rights, not for delay/selective.
Anything could change at any time with the state and what they require.

So if the dr doesn't , but the school does, then there's no problems right? because the info wouldn't be in the system. I can only see a problem if both dr AND school used it. If dr doesn't use it, then, how would the school ever know really?

[ma2two]

Originally Posted by newmum35

just an update. I would really like to fill out my papers and hand in my exemption this week, to see when my son might be able to start school. I am having a hard time deciding which exemption to go with, and whether or not to get it notarized. I like Emmeline's except it does seem kind of techical. Is this suggested because it has been successfully used by other PA parents in the past? I also still can't figure out which part I'm supposed to change, and what I'm supposed to change it to.

The woodlands form was nice but it did look rather crude when printed out and Im still not sure whether if I leave the comments blank it might be rejected.

So that leaves me with my own statement, but if I do so and it is not notarized, it doesn't look very professional and I am certainly all for "avoiding hassle" ... so back to Emmelines suggested exemption again. I'm going in circles here trying to decide.

any other suggestions?

I think you are over thinking this. The default should be following the law, which requires only a simple written statement from one parent that vaccination is against your religious beliefs. Hand the signed statement to the childcare provider, along with a printout of the law so they know you are following the legal requirements.

And when I write "simple statement," I mean something like, "To Whom it May Concern: My child is not vaccinated because vaccination is against my religious beliefs. Sincerely, newmum35"

The law requires nothing more. Save the $20 and take yourself out to a nice lunch after you hand in your non-notarized exemption letter.

[Emmeline II]

Originally Posted by ma2two

I think you are over thinking this. The default should be following the law, which requires only a simple written statement from one parent that vaccination is against your religious beliefs. Hand the signed statement to the childcare provider, along with a printout of the law so they know you are following the legal requirements.

And when I write "simple statement," I mean something like, "To Whom it May Concern: My child is not vaccinated because vaccination is against my religious beliefs. Sincerely, newmum35"

The law requires nothing more. Save the $20 and take yourself out to a nice lunch after you hand in your non-notarized exemption letter.

I've never had to pay for a notary. Banks usually do it for free.

In any case, the path of least resistance is to do the exemption on the "back" of the PA vaccination record (Appendix B http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal...zations/557995). Though it is not mandatory, it is official looking (as it is produced by the state) and should make the caregiver comfortable that it will not interfere with her license which is the primary issue; she does not have to keep the OP as a client, exemption or not.

[hollytheteacher]

I teach at a liscensed naeyc accredited center in Vermont and we allow exemptions for any reason. We are required, however, to have on hand a copy of either their most up to date record OR an exemption. Our exemption is pretty awesome because you can even just check off which ones you don't want (if you are a selective vaxer).

We do not send the forms anywhere! They have to stay in the child's "file". My understanding of it is. If for some reason we had to call 911 and take a child to the hospital, we must grab their file to bring with us. Inside it has all their medical information (allergies, medical problems, etc.) including a list of vaxes they have or haven't had...oh and the parents insurance information is in there also.

So my understanding of it is that the center needs it and is required to have it in the event of an emergency the teacher would be able to provide as much medical information to the hospital as possible. Not because we send in copies of anything anywhere for some random reason.

[bbrandonsmom]

Originally Posted by serenbat

what do you mean?

exemptions are NOT kept with the state (any office of the state) they are kept with the institution (daycare, school, program, etc)-who would you file it with in your case?

Here in Fl you have to go to the local health dept to get an exemption and it's kept on state record-at least that's what I was told while I was there. I have my exemptions but they also have record of it. You can either opt to have it on record with Fl Shots-for all dr's/schools to look up, or opt out, so only the health dept has access. I was wondering if it was the same in other states, I guess not.
Here, if I have to make a trip to the ER or something, I can bring my exemption with me, but if I'm in another state, it won't be honored, since it's not from that state.

[ammiga]

Originally Posted by bbrandonsmom

Here in Fl you have to go to the local health dept to get an exemption and it's kept on state record-at least that's what I was told while I was there. I have my exemptions but they also have record of it. You can either opt to have it on record with Fl Shots-for all dr's/schools to look up, or opt out, so only the health dept has access. I was wondering if it was the same in other states, I guess not.
Here, if I have to make a trip to the ER or something, I can bring my exemption with me, but if I'm in another state, it won't be honored, since it's not from that state.

Yep, in my state all exemptions are given to the school, but then the school files with the state health department. Even though I'm not the one doing the filing, the exemption is on record/file with the state.

Why do you need to bring an exemption with you to the ER? What does it offer there? When we went, I just told them we don't vax... I was under the impression that exemptions were just for schools and daycare?

[serenbat]

but if I'm in another state, it won't be honored, since it's not from that state.

you do not need for ER visits or vacations