I'm new here and could really use some advice!

[BamaMommyTo3]

Hi! I am in a difficult situation concerning a vaccine my son recently had and I could really use some advice from those of you that have dealt with this kind of thing. This post is a little long, but I wanted to explain everything. Please take the time to read and respond if you can help!

First, a little background about my children and the vaccines they have or haven't got. I have 3 children, ages 7, 5, and 2. I chose not to get vaccines at all in the beginning, but their doctor told me that their immunizations absolutely MUST be up to date in order for them to start school. It wouldn't be an issue until then as I am a stay at home mom and they didn't go to daycare. So, after many discussions with the doctor, I agreed to start them at age 3 so that they could be up to date and ready to start school when the time came. My 2 year old is still vaccine free.

Now, this situation is concerning my 5 year old son. I took him to get a DTaP on Friday to make everything current so that he could start school. On Saturday morning, he woke up crying and complaining that his arm, head, and stomach hurt. I pushed up the sleeve of his pajamas to look at his arm where he got the shot and his entire arm was twice its normal size! It was also really red. His whole arm looked it was sunburned. I mean a BAD sunburn...the kind you get just before blisters pop up. And when I touched it, it was so hot it would almost burn your hand. I checked his temp and it was 102.6. I immediately gave him Motrin and called the after hours line for our pediatrician and left a message explaining what was going on. Three hours later they hadn't returned my call. So I made a second call, which they also never returned. His fever went away Saturday night, but he was really restless and didn't sleep much at all that night. Sunday morning the fever returned and he vomitted twice. The fever left again Sunday night and didn't return but he was still feeling bad Monday morning and the swelling and redness had not decreased at all. So I called to make him an appointment. They asked what was going on with him and I explained his symptoms and told them that I think he had a reaction to the shot he got on Friday. She put me on hold, came back and said that the doctor said that there was no need to bring him in because "that happens sometimes and he will be fine." I told her that I thought he should be seen so they could document his reaction because I feel that he shouldn't get that vaccine anymore because he must be allergic to something in it. She put me on hold again, came back and told me that wouldn't be necessary because it was just a "local reaction" and the doctor said that he would still have to get that type of vaccine because it is "required." Since when does fever, headache, stomach ache, dizziness and vomitting count as a "local reaction"?!

He is due for another dose of this same vaccine (DTaP) in October, and I simply refuse to subject him to that again! I wasn't asking the doctor to exempt him from vaccines completely, but there is no reason that he can't excuse him from that one due to the reaction. If he doesn't acknowledge this, my son won't be allowed to go to school. How can I get past this thing if I can't convince him to change his mind? I will NOT allow him to have this vaccine in October no matter what I have to do, but he has to go to school. If you have any advice on how I should handle this, please reply. I don't know what to do and I have to take action before October 20th! Thanks for your time.

[BamaMommyTo3]

I live in Alabama by the way...if that matters as far as laws and such. Thanks! =)

[shiningpearl]

Did you take pictures of  his arm?  Make sure you document every thing you can.  Is there a way you could see a different doctor or just take him in with out talking to the nurse. 

It's sad that you were forced to vaccinate, schools in AL do have religious exemptions and you didn't have to do it.  It's also sad that the medical profession ignores reactions allowing further damage to children.  One good thing is that your child was old enough to tell you what was wrong, I can only imagine a 2 month old with those symptoms. 

Since your doctors office didn't follow protocol and report or even take serious your child's reaction, please take the time to report it yourself to VAERs here is the link there more reactions that are reported the less the government can claim they are safe.

Sorry this happened to your child.

[Marnica]

Wow! What you have described is far more than a local reaction! A local reaction is slight pain and swelling at the injection site. Persoanlly i would be looking for a new doctor for my children!

The information he is giving you is incorrect anyway. You have the right to not vaccinate your children. Alabama has a religious exemption and your children can attend school. You can only file an exemption if you want to opt out of ALL vaccines. You cannot pick and choose. You could get a medical exemption for just 1 vaccine, but it sounds like your doctor won't be willing to do this since he is blowing off your child's adverse reaction. It sounds like you don't want to vaccinate at all, but are under the impression that your children cannot attend school with out them. This is NOT TRUE!!! You need to go to the health dept and request form IMM-52 and submit that to the school and you will be good to go. (that is if you want to pass on all vaccines) if not, then you may be in a bit of a pickle if you cant get a medical exemption.

 A written objection from the parent or guardian of a student based on religious tenets and practices shall be submitted in person by the parent or guardian to the County Health Department for issuance of a Certificate of Religious Exemption from the required immunizations or testing. A licensed physician can provide individual exemption from the required immunizations or testing on a Certificate of Medical Exemption. The Certificate of Religious Exemption and the Certificate of Medical Exemption will be on forms approved by the Alabama Department of Public Health and will be accepted in lieu of the Certificate of Immunization.
 

[BamaMommyTo3]

Thank you both very much for answering! Shiningpearl - I did take a picture of his arm. Unfortunately, I didn't think of doing that until this morning and it only looked about half as bad as it did yesterday. Still, looking that bad 4 days later should speak volumes! I also did document on paper everything that happened (as far as his symptoms) between Friday and now. Luckily, that is routine for me when I can't get them in for a day or two because I always want to be accurate with what I tell the doctor. Marnica - You are right, initially I did want to opt out of all vaccines but I was under the impression that it wasn't my choice to make after a certain point. This is why my 2 year old still hasn't had any...because I still have a choice. I must say though, since I started allows vaccines for my older two, I have somewhat talked myself into believing that they are ok. I still don't believe that any infant should be subjected to it, but I find comfort in knowing that when they are older they can tell me things. After all this, I am beginning to slip back into my old way of thinking! It just seems more and more like the risks completely outweigh the benefits and I'm not sure if it is worth it. I guess for now I would be fine with it if he just gave me a medical exemption for this one vaccine. That weigh I would have some time to actually think about whether or not I want to refuse them all...since I now know that I have a choice! If he won't, then I will definitely want to opt out on all vaccines because there is no way he is getting that one again!

If Alabama only has a religious exemption, what exactly does that mean? I am not part of any religion that doesn't believe in the vaccines. Does that matter? Or can I just have to claim that it is against my religion without any evidence to support it?

[CrunchyChristianMama]

You can find God and God can tell you not to vaccinate.  You don't have to explain your religious beliefs for a religious exemption.

Also, as far as I know, you can claim a religious exemption for just some vaccines, it doesn't have to be all or nothing.  For instance, some people religiously oppose only a few of the vaccines based on how they were created (in aborted fetal lung cells for example).

[BamaMommyTo3]

Aborted fetal lung cells? Seriously?! Obviously, I still have a lot to learn! I do fully believe in God, but nothing about my religious beliefs have ever affected the way I feel about vaccines. So I didn't know if that would be an issue when trying to do a religious exemption. Thank you for clearing that up! I would really like to know more about the reasons I should NOT vaccinate. I already know all the pros...I want to know all the cons. I have a feel that many of you can share so much with me on that subject. If you can, educate me please! I want to know more.

[Marnica]

Originally Posted by CrunchyChristianMama 

You can find God and God can tell you not to vaccinate.  You don't have to explain your religious beliefs for a religious exemption.

Also, as far as I know, you can claim a religious exemption for just some vaccines, it doesn't have to be all or nothing.  For instance, some people religiously oppose only a few of the vaccines based on how they were created (in aborted fetal lung cells for example).

 This is incorrect. What you are thinking of is a philisphical exemption. This is not avaliable in Alabama. Only 18 states have philisophical exemptions where you can opt out of some but not all if you want to. With a religious exemption you are objecting to the practice of vaccination. This means ALL of them and to the OP - NO you do not have to be a member of an organized religion in your state. All you need to do if get the form I talked about at your health department and submit it to the school. As for reason to not vaccinate, I urge you to explore the Im not vaccinating forum as there are many thraeds about just that topic.

[CrunchyChristianMama]

Originally Posted by Marnica 

 This is incorrect. What you are thinking of is a philisphical exemption. This is not avaliable in Alabama. Only 18 states have philisophical exemptions where you can opt out of some but not all if you want to. With a religious exemption you are objecting to the practice of vaccination. This means ALL of them and to the OP - NO you do not have to be a member of an organized religion in your state. All you need to do if get the form I talked about at your health department and submit it to the school. As for reason to not vaccinate, I urge you to explore the Im not vaccinating forum as there are many thraeds about just that topic.

I'm guessing the definition and what is covered by a religious exemption must vary state by state then as well.  I know that in Kansas, Missouri, and Iowa there are families that have used a religious exemption to only opt out of some vaccinations.

[Marnica]

Originally Posted by CrunchyChristianMama 

I'm guessing the definition and what is covered by a religious exemption must vary state by state then as well.  I know that in Kansas, Missouri, and Iowa there are families that have used a religious exemption to only opt out of some vaccinations.

 Really? that is interesting. I would love to hear from someone from those states. If you read the law for those states it would not seem that this would be allowed, particularly in Kansas and Iowa.

Kansas: "Submit a written statement signed by a parent that the parent is an adherent of a religious denomination whose teachings are opposed to immunizations"

Missouri: "A child is exempt if a parent objects in writing to the school administrator that immunization of that child violates his/her religious beliefs".

Iowa: "Submit a written statement signed by a parent that the parent is an adherent of a religious denomination whose teachings are opposed to immunizations"

Iowa:

[CrunchyChristianMama]

It doesn't say opposed to ALL immunizations though.  There is a lot of wiggle room there.  I can have my DH explain it again to me tonight if anyone wants a more clear explanation.  He's an attorney so I defer to him when interpreting laws.  :)

[Marnica]

I hear you, but it doesn't say all immunizations in any state code and I know for my state and a few others it pertains to all. It would be nice if the laws were clearer!

 

Originally Posted by CrunchyChristianMama 

It doesn't say opposed to ALL immunizations though.  There is a lot of wiggle room there.  I can have my DH explain it again to me tonight if anyone wants a more clear explanation.  He's an attorney so I defer to him when interpreting laws.  :)

[Turquesa]

Originally Posted by BamaMommyTo3 
I do fully believe in God, but nothing about my religious beliefs have ever affected the way I feel about vaccines. So I didn't know if that would be an issue when trying to do a religious exemption.

It shouldn't be in AL.  I haven't heard of thought-police interrogations (a.k.a. "sincerity testing") in Alabama. 

But here's something to keep in mind.  Anyone who believes in God would be hard pressed to deny that the Creator imbues in all parents a special responsibility to protect their children and do what *they* (not the state, not doctors, not the drug companies) deem best for them.  If you don't vax with fully informed consent, if you don't feel you're getting adequate answers to your questions, if you're seeing compelling reasons not to vaccinate (as indeed you are!) or if you're dissatisfied with the lack of solid research on them....then you have every religious reason to delay or decline some or all vaccinations.

[LisaSedai]

I wondered about the all or nothing rule too. When I went to the health dept (5 yrs ago) the religious waiver form I signed had a place that the nurse could write in any vaccinations DS had received.

OP- I would find a new doctor. Many pediatric docs  in AL won't take non/delayed/selective vaxers and you might have to find a family practitioner instead.

[nia82]

I wondered about that too. In my state I can write a list of which ones I am opposed to, but I rather not gamble my exemption, if forced I rather do none than all, kwim?

[mama to 2 girls]

This is interesting.... In my state we use a religious exemption and it's all or nothing as far as being able to pick and choose vaccines. So that's what I did, I went down to the health department and asked for an exemption, they never asked me what religion I am or anything like that. Super easy. It's not like I can't go and get my kids vaxed if I change my mind, just because I have an exemption from all of them. My friend who lives down the street did that. She chose only a couple of vaxes for her children but still had to get the exemption.