Exemption form won't work for Tdap now? Confused

[slaggyc]

I thought in California you could sign an exemption form for vaccines, but after reading this article, I'm confused. Did CA pass a new law I haven't heard about?

http://www.fresnobee.com/2011/09/21/2547484/fusd-wont-send-unvaccinated-students.html

[BeckyBird]

Very very disturbing.

"the district will sequester in school cafeterias and gymnasiums the students who still haven't turned in proof of vaccination."

Single them out. Many teens are susceptible to peer pressure, and loathe being singled out--I know I would just die of embarrassment if it were me! I hated to be the center of attention, and even now, I hate it.

 

Also, think of this--what happens when the HPV vax is available to young girls without their parents' permission? Will they pull the same tactic--humiliate the few girls who go against the flow and decline the shot? Single them out, so everyone will know their business? They are doing this right out in the open right now in Fresno! I have a problem with this, because medical decisions should be a private matter, but I guess not in Fresno! They parade the unvaccinated right out in front of the crowds!

[ma2two]

Articles very rarely mention exemptions. School personnel and school nurses rarely tell parents and students about exemptions. The right to an exemption is only for the lucky few, who have heard about it via word of mouth or through the internet.

California's personal belief exemption applies to the new Tdap requirement. The Tdap vaccine is not listed on the regular "blue form," so there is a separate exemption form, called the Personal Beliefs Exemption form (CDPH 8261), which all school offices are supposed to have. Or, parents who are very informed about their rights can skip that form that says they are putting their children at risk, and write their own exemption statement, per CA Health and Safety Code 120365. http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/displaycode?section=hsc&group=120001-121000&file=120325-120380

[slaggyc]

Thank you for the information. Very sad the way the district is handling it.

[slaggyc]

Updated article today: http://www.fresnobee.com/2011/09/22/2548980/fusd-plans-vaccination-clinic.html

[BeckyBird]

sadly, this article is no improvement. Nowhere does it mention exemptions, and it is deliberately misleading. They are relying on this to confuse parents, who won't check the law for themselves. Here is a copy of the law:

http://sduhsd.net/tp/immunization.html

So, it's justifiable for the State to use this sleazy, dishonest tactic, because they feel they are doing it to "help". It's ok to lie if it's for the greater good.

[ma2two]

Quote:

Originally Posted by BeckyBird 

sadly, this article is no improvement. Nowhere does it mention exemptions

Actually, this is one of the few articles I've read that does mention exemptions. But it is very easy to miss.

"On Thursday, 10% of the district's students – about 2,800 teens – still hadn't returned proof of receiving the shot, submitted a waiver or returned a permission slip to get the shot at their school." [italics added]

[BeckyBird]

LOL!  I actually read the article, and totally missed that! Well, I guess I should give them credit; at least they mentioned the waiver. So there is still hope!