Selective vaxing in a state that only allows religious exemptions???

[Debobu]

HI

How do you do selective vaxing if you live in an "all or nothing" state? where there is only the choice of religious exemptions??

What if I want to give one or 2 vaccines? How do you deal with schools?

What options do we have???

Thanks!

[beebalmmama]

I've always lived in a state which had both a personal or religious exemption. But if I were in that situation I would just declare the religious exemption. Why do they need to know your reasons anyway. I have never reported ds's two vax on his school forms. We just declare the exemption and leave it at that. I figured I don't want a argument about why he may have one vax and not others.

[Owen'nZoe]

We also have both religious and philosophical exemptions in my state, but if the only option were religious, I'd claim it and just not tell them about the vaxes we did get.

[Debobu]

Do you have that option? Can't they find out?

Thanks

[Starry-eyedMom]

I don't think so. If you're really worried, you can vax out of state...

[ACsMom]

In my state they certainly can find out.  Every vaccine we get is reported to the state by the doctor's office, and the schools have easy access to the state records  I don't know how diligent they are about checking up on people if they claim a religious exemption, though.  That might depend on the school.  I was just getting ready to post a question along these same lines.  I'll be hoping you get some more informed replies than mine!

[zoebugsmom]

My state only has religious exemptions.  We went ahead and claimed the religious exemption when we signed the kids up for school despite them being partially vaxxed.  It hasn't been an issue.

[Debobu]

I'd rather not go out of state to vax- Where would I go? Try to find a Doctor I don't know to give the vax It sounds stressful...Also, I would like to be able to communicate with our Dr if I had a question or issue after the vax is administered....

I am finding this is sooo stressful. It is hard enough for me to make the decision to vax and decide which one and when to give them but to add the issue of schools and exemptions to the equation is very upsetting. :-(

Not sure how we will proceed.

[catinthehat]

I have been wondering about this same thing.  They really make it impossible to selectively choose vaxes.  I want to get a tetanus vax for my dd's, but my doctor knows they have exemptions at school.  

[Marnica]

Op what state are you in?

Every state has vaccine registries that allow the schools to check and see if a child is up to date. Whether ot not you choose to participate in this registry may (or may not) be up to you. In most states (including mine) one can opt out of having your child included in this registry. One usually has to fill out an opt out form. If you are able to opt out then you can still file a religious exemption and selectively vaccinate after your child starts school, (although this untruthful) and the school would have no way of finding out.

or.

 If you cannot opt out, you can selectively vax up prior to their child starting school or preschool/ daycare and claim a religious exemption after because afterall one can have a change in religious beliefs at anytime. However then you could no longer vaccinate after that point.

Or if you cannot opt out you could vaccinate out of state at a publich health dept.

Opt out of the registry if you can. It makes the most sense.

[Debobu]

Thanks Marnica

 I live in NY.

[Marnica]

NY state or NYC?

NYC has a separate registry than the rest of NY state.

I believe if you live in NYC, you do not have the option of opting out http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/cir/cir-parents-guardians-faq.shtml

Looks like NY state is the same look at #27:

http://www.health.state.ny.us/prevention/immunization/information_system/docs/faq_immunization_information_system.pdf

So no opt out option in NYC or NY - bummer :(

Originally Posted by Debobu 

Thanks Marnica

 I live in NY.