Last week DD started preschool at a private day care/preschool facility. I think I’ve done my homework and felt very prepared when the question of her vaccine record was brought up. DD is unvaccinated therefore rather than submitting her immunization record I handed in a signed and dated form from DD's doctor stating she had been examined in his office and was deemed healthy and fit to attend school. With that form I submitted the following letter:
September 14, 2010
To Whom It May Concern:
This letter is to inform you that, we, John and Jane Doe, as the parents and legal guardians of Janet Doe, respectfully exercise our legal right to religious exemption from immunizations as outlined by N.J.S.A 26:1A – 9.1. We hereby certify that the administration of vaccinations conflicts with our religious beliefs and tenets. Our religious beliefs prohibit the injection of foreign agents into the body.
Sincerely,
Mr. and Mrs. Doe
Mother
Father
This letter was not notarized but was signed by both myself and my husband. In addition, I included a copy of the NJ religious exemption law: http://www.state.nj.us/health/cd/doc..._exemption.pdf
The director seemed very taken aback when she reviewed our paperwork stating she had never had this type of situation. She even asked what religion we were, although, as stated by law she isn't supposed to. I told her we were Christians who belonged to the Congregation of Universal Wisdom. Being as this was the 1st day of school (they told me I could bring the medical papers on the 1st day) she took the paperwork and allowed dd to start school. She did tell us that the health dept is very strict and they might want to talk to my husband and me if they ever reviewed our paperwork. We said no problem and went on our way. The following day when I picked dd up the director asked to see me in her office. She said being that the health dept was so strict she was going to send our exemption to them to see if dd could continue with school. She also asked several times if I was concerned this would be a problem once she hit public school (this is a private facility but they do participate in state funding programs). I told her, no, since we were protected by law.
The exemption law states that religious exemptions stretch to all schools and child care facilities both public and private. I feel that as the director of such a facility she should have at least general knowledge of the laws that pertain to her industry and I am nervous that this is going to turn into a witch hunt.
What could/should be my course of action going forward? What if the director decides she doesn't want my daughter attending her school? What do we do if the health department contacts us? Any advice/support would be so very appreciated! TIA.
September 14, 2010
To Whom It May Concern:
This letter is to inform you that, we, John and Jane Doe, as the parents and legal guardians of Janet Doe, respectfully exercise our legal right to religious exemption from immunizations as outlined by N.J.S.A 26:1A – 9.1. We hereby certify that the administration of vaccinations conflicts with our religious beliefs and tenets. Our religious beliefs prohibit the injection of foreign agents into the body.
Sincerely,
Mr. and Mrs. Doe
Mother
Father
This letter was not notarized but was signed by both myself and my husband. In addition, I included a copy of the NJ religious exemption law: http://www.state.nj.us/health/cd/doc..._exemption.pdf
The director seemed very taken aback when she reviewed our paperwork stating she had never had this type of situation. She even asked what religion we were, although, as stated by law she isn't supposed to. I told her we were Christians who belonged to the Congregation of Universal Wisdom. Being as this was the 1st day of school (they told me I could bring the medical papers on the 1st day) she took the paperwork and allowed dd to start school. She did tell us that the health dept is very strict and they might want to talk to my husband and me if they ever reviewed our paperwork. We said no problem and went on our way. The following day when I picked dd up the director asked to see me in her office. She said being that the health dept was so strict she was going to send our exemption to them to see if dd could continue with school. She also asked several times if I was concerned this would be a problem once she hit public school (this is a private facility but they do participate in state funding programs). I told her, no, since we were protected by law.
The exemption law states that religious exemptions stretch to all schools and child care facilities both public and private. I feel that as the director of such a facility she should have at least general knowledge of the laws that pertain to her industry and I am nervous that this is going to turn into a witch hunt.
What could/should be my course of action going forward? What if the director decides she doesn't want my daughter attending her school? What do we do if the health department contacts us? Any advice/support would be so very appreciated! TIA.
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