Need Medical Exemption Advice from those who have gone this route

[AnnieMaxwell]

I am planning to have a licensed physician write a letter to exempt from future vaccines (a few were given already as an infant) any advice about (NJ speciaifically) private preschools giving trouble for handing in such a note? any advice about wording? In our case we have an extrememly high incidence of autoimmue disease and HLA disease which I know isn't technically cinsidered allowed for medical exemptions but what is the likelihood of the school giving me a hard time?

[Marnica]

Medical exemptions are given per vaccine not as a blanket exemption to all vaccines. They are usually given for a particular vaccine if a child were to have had a recognized serious adverse reaction. Unless you are getting a member of your family to write a blanket exemption you will be hard pressed to find an MD who will do this. Even if you found one who agreed with you on principle, writing a medical exemption places scrutiny on his or hers medical practice which is why most MD won't write them. Just wondering how you think you will accomplish this?

[AnnieMaxwell]

Oh, it does sound so difficult - just wondering why you mentioned family member- are there people who ask family members to write such statements?  Also, if I can get the medical note and I am harrassed because of it, can I then state that in my opinion it is a sin and then check rreligious waver box?

[Marnica]

Originally Posted by AnnieMaxwell 

Oh, it does sound so difficult - just wondering why you mentioned family member- are there people who ask family members to write such statements?  Also, if I can get the medical note and I am harrassed because of it, can I then state that in my opinion it is a sin and then check rreligious waver box?

I mentioned a family member because I can't imagine a doc who wasnt related granting a blanket waiver. You wouldnt be harassed, the doctor might be however. You cannot file a religious waiver on top of a medical one, there would be no reason to.

[CarrieMF]

If they will accept a religious waiver just do that, it'll be much easier.  You don't have to explain anything about how it is a religious objection.

I can't see a DR giving a medical waiver letter without there actually being a medical reason(ie, past reactions).

[One_Girl]

I'm not in NJ, but where I am a very high percentage of parents don't vaccinate and many of the private daycares don't take any exemptions whether medical or religious.  The ones that do are typically not the good ones.  You can always call the preschools you are thinking of using later and ask about it.  I don't think you should make this decision based on your child's chances of getting into a good preschool though. 

[momof3tobe]

I live in NJ and have been sending in religious exemption letters for my kids for years. It's just a very short letter that says, "in accordance with NJ law #(sorry I forget the specific number of this law but you can look it up online), we, the parents of (our child's name) state that based on our religious beliefs we refuse vaccinations for our child".
And then we just sign the bottom. We have been using this same letter since our oldest was in preschool- every year when the school asks for updated shot records we just print out and sign a copy of this letter and we have NEVER been questioned about it or been given any trouble at all.