Religous exemption fopr vaccines in MD-please help - Page 2

[kb914]

My only child will start kindergarten in the fall. She's 5 and I stopped vaccinations at the age of one. I want to claim a religious exemption, while doing this should I get a copy of her immunization record from DHMH or should I not provide her vaccination records at all? The link above is asking for a password, is there anywhere else I can get a form? Or will one be available at the time of registration? I'm in Baltimore County and i've never registered a kid in school so all this is new to me. I'm kind of freaking out, being that my only child is heading off into the world and on top of that i'm worried about the immunizations. Any information would be greatly appreciated!

[tiacait]

Originally Posted by kb914 

My only child will start kindergarten in the fall. She's 5 and I stopped vaccinations at the age of one. I want to claim a religious exemption, while doing this should I get a copy of her immunization record from DHMH or should I not provide her vaccination records at all? The link above is asking for a password, is there anywhere else I can get a form? Or will one be available at the time of registration? I'm in Baltimore County and i've never registered a kid in school so all this is new to me. I'm kind of freaking out, being that my only child is heading off into the world and on top of that i'm worried about the immunizations. Any information would be greatly appreciated!

My daughter is partially vaccinated (delaying others) and I just checked the box that indicated religious exemption and had my pediatrician sign at the bottom. I did not give any record of the vaccines she has received. I didn't need any additional paperwork other than what the school provided. Like I said, there is a part on the vaccine record form that has a box for religious exemption.

I turned all the paperwork into the school and there hasn't been any issues (so far).

Good luck!

[lillymonster]

So I have a question now. My forms for school say that you need a physical signed by a doctor, preferably a dental exam form to be signed and returned (not required but strongly recommended - bah - so for us that means NO) and the vaccination sheet. My daughter is delayed. Since we have some shots, my doctor won't fill out the physical form unless we get the rest of her shots (just like 3 in the rest of a series - so I can't even say no to a particular shot - you know?), so can I deny the physical AND the vaccination under religious exemption? It has to be filled out for health issues, allergies, etc, and it says the physical part is required too.
 

[IdentityCrisisMama]

LM, I think it's time for a new doctor. 

[lillymonster]

Originally Posted by IdentityCrisisMama 

LM, I think it's time for a new doctor. 

5th one in 5 years and she is the only one that treated a medical condition properly when other drs wanted to put her on medication and give her formula through a  feeding tube rather than find a cause and treat the issue. I have my personal reasons for staying with her and don't feel the need to defend her here.

I just want to know if I can get out of the physical exam for school (truth be told, I have FAR FAR more issues with forcing physicals for entry into the public school system then my doctor not signing or signing anything)...I can get out of lead testing, vaccination and dental visit. I am not interested in finding another doctor and she continues to care for my children unlike any doctor I have ever met in my many years seeing doctors. I'd rather get out of the physical then leave one of the few doctors that I actually like and can credit for saving my child when others were telling me my daughter would be "brain-damaged" if I didn't do what they wanted me to do.

[IdentityCrisisMama]

Sorry, LM - I didn't mean to be flip or disrespectful of your doctor. Good luck finding the info you're looking for! 

ETA: This may be helpful:

http://fha.dhmh.maryland.gov/mch/Documents/SRCRD6A_FINAL-12-14-04.pdf

"Exemptions from a physical examination and immunizations are permitted if they are contrary to 

a students’ or family’s religious beliefs." 

[lillymonster]

From what i have read everywhere the physicals are not required....they say they need to be done 9 month before or 6 months after but that you will not be excluded from school if they are not done. I found no area to claim religious exemption for fhe physical. So i will be either writing a letter or just fighting the "required" part since there is no consequence.

As for my pediatirican...imayhave spoken to soon. I do love her but the nurse attempted to manipluate me by telling me I could not pick up the blank unsigned physical forms that I left there by accident unless I made a physical appointment and therefor in her words my child would be barred from attending school without this form. crazy.

[IdentityCrisisMama]

Originally Posted by lillymonster 

From what i have read everywhere the physicals are not required....they say they need to be done 9 month before or 6 months after but that you will not be excluded from school if they are not done. I found no area to claim religious exemption for fhe physical. So i will be either writing a letter or just fighting the "required" part since there is no consequence.
As for my pediatirican...imayhave spoken to soon. I do love her but the nurse attempted to manipluate me by telling me I could not pick up the blank unsigned physical forms that I left there by accident unless I made a physical appointment and therefor in her words my child would be barred from attending school without this form. crazy.

I would require my pediatrician to fill out forms. But, I can totally see how a complicated medical issue would make you very tolerant of some quirks from a doctor you otherwise like and trust. If you're in the Baltimore area I really like Dr. Morgan-Cooper. I'm sure she would do forms for an unvaxed kid if you decide to go that route. 

Another thought is that over the years we've had some so-so pediatricians and I've found that sometimes the nurse doesn't see eye to eye with the doctor and can try to influence things where possible. It may be enough to just call and ask to speak to the doctor about your forms. 

Another idea may be to do a generic form yourself that kind of says you won't be handing in a physical form on religious exemption grounds. Make it look "official" and stuff. Good luck whatever you decide.