Vax Delima - Please help

[nic060810]

My DS in 4 and has had no vax until recently.  I thought I'd be okay with getting him his shots at school time, but was misinformed about what he would have to have to enter school.  Originally I was told he'd only need one set of shots to get up to date for school, but when i went for the shots I was told I'd have to come back 3 more times!  Now that he's had the shots, I regret it - especially knowing he has to go back 3 more times over the next 3 months.  Have I messed up my chances of getting an exemption from vax now? (I live in Alabama) 

[Marnica]

No you can still get a religious exemption. Here are you state laws - I think you need to get the exemption from the health department.

http://www.nvic.org/Vaccine-Laws/state-vaccine-requirements/alabama.aspx

In the meantime call IMMprint (1-800-469-4599) which is your state's vaccine registry and find out if your child is participating. If yes, then ask to be removed. You do not have to participate in Alabama https://siis.state.al.us/immprint/User/RegistryPolicyforPrivateProviders.pdf

(look at the bottom #7.4)

[nic060810]

Interesting, I was under the impression that you couldn't 'opt out" of the registry in Alabama.  I'm definately going to pursue this.  I just hope I can get it straightened out with the schools because I already turned in the original vax record (did it right after the shots).  I didn't regret my choice until after it was all done.

[umsami]

From what I recall, they cannot vaccinate your child 1x/month for the next 3 months.  For most childhood vaccines, there is a required waiting period of 2 months between doses.  Thus, even if the State requires it, it would not be medically advisable to do that (even if you wanted to).  My guess is that you could get some sort of exemption based on the dosing requirements that would at minimum allow you to spread the next 3 doses out over the next 6-8 months.    There are specific catch-up schedules put out by the CDC.  I would think that following one of them would be the most a State could require.  (Assuming you didn't opt-out.)

http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/recs/schedules/downloads/child/catchup-schedule-pr.pdf

[miriam]

But, umsami, Dr. Offit says that a baby can get 100,000 at once with no ill effects! - tongue firmly in cheek!  

[LisaSedai]

Thanks Marnica for the opt out number- I live in Al and have always thought it was a non-opt out state too. Alabama sure doesn't advertise the fact you can opt out on any website I saw and this http://www.adph.org/Immunization/assets/HIPAALetterPhysicians.pdf
" Exchange of information regarding immunizations is permissible under HIPAA because HIPAA allows the disclosure  of
protected health information without patient authorization if the disclosure is required by law or
if the disclosure is required for public health activities. Disclosures regarding  immunizations fall
into both of these categories." which pretty much said to me if I do or don't get my kid immunizations in Alabama the doctor can tell the state without my knowledge or permission.