Adoption and non-vaccinationg families - help!

[rachie]

So there it is on the pre-application for our agency - are your children vaccinated - NO!  We don't do it.  We will not put poison into our developing childrens minds.  Thankfully, our state allows this - but does anyone know what to do if you're adopting internationally.  This could be that country's rule or the agency's rule.  Um - we don't want our adopted children vaxed either if we can at all get exemtions for them as California residents. 

[pumpkingirl71]

Welcome!

You are the fourth mom of an Evie on our board!

Vaccines are touchy.  I suggest asking the question directly to your agency.  We adopted through the state and the requirements are that a child must be vaccinated according the schedule while they are wards of the state.  I would assume that with international adoption, you are not going to have a lot of control over vaccines until you bring your child home.  Many on this board have unvaccinated bio children that are not vaccinated and have adopted.

Also, have you choosen a country?  It is very important to remember that adoption can challenge our images if what it means to be a good parent.  The health situation in the country you choose may change your opinions.

[WifeMomChiro]

We are just in the paperwork process and we don't vaccinate. So far, it hasn't been an issue. I know many families who have adopted privately without being vaccinated. From my understanding, in our state, we could not adopt through foster care without everyone in the home be fully vaccinated. I know many families who have adopted internationally without vaccinations. I don't know if you plan on bringing your children with you or not. That may be an issue in certain countries. We are doing private domestic infant adoption.

[queenjane]

I adopted through foster care, and it wasnt an issue for my older son to be unvaxed. You are supposed to vax a fc, but with my first fs (i was almost sure to adopt), i managed to sort of fly under the radar and he got only his two month vaxes.

[ariahsmum]

We adopted internationally, ds received whatever vaxes he got at the orphanage.  I couldn't interfere with that... but when we went thru immigration, whenever they asked if we needed this or that vaccine (things he didn't get at the orphanage) we just nodded and told them, "Oh yes, we will be doing all of that with his physician at home".  

What we did do was bring with us a printed form that I found online showing our right as legal parents to refuse or delay vaccines... in case we needed to pull that out overseas.  It was a non issue, though Im glad I had it as back up.  

Once home we simply proceeded as we had for our bio daughter.  No vax family. 

HTH!

[rachie]

Originally Posted by ariahsmum 

We adopted internationally, ds received whatever vaxes he got at the orphanage.  I couldn't interfere with that... but when we went thru immigration, whenever they asked if we needed this or that vaccine (things he didn't get at the orphanage) we just nodded and told them, "Oh yes, we will be doing all of that with his physician at home".  

What we did do was bring with us a printed form that I found online showing our right as legal parents to refuse or delay vaccines... in case we needed to pull that out overseas.  It was a non issue, though Im glad I had it as back up.  

Once home we simply proceeded as we had for our bio daughter.  No vax family. 

HTH!

Happen to know where I can print out aform like that? 

[ariahsmum]

I can look- and peek at my file as well.  I have it somewhere on my 'puter... I'm bogged down today though- give me  a couple of days.  I will pm you when I find it!

(oh, and we did not vax before travel either.  That was a long and laborious decision to get to, but we all went in unvaxed after much research and thought. Lemme know if you want info/support on that topic as well).