Signing a waiver refusing to vax

[MomTo4Monkies]

Hello there.  I am about to be a mom of 4 and this is the first time I have really researched vaccines.  My other children (7,4, and 18 months) have all been vaccinated by the CDC guidelines up until this point.  I contacted our ped about doing a delayed schedule with our next child and got this response.

Hi,

 

Congratulations on the soon to be new addition! 

 

I do recommend following the CDC and American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines for routine immunization for children but in our office we do accomodate parental requests to alter the vaccination schedule.  At the visits you decline the recommended vaccines we will discuss the risks of doing this and have you sign a refusal to vaccinate form (now mandated by Federal reporting laws).  This is not a big deal and we do this for several families in our practice.  Let me know if you have any specific questions or concerns that I may be able to address.  Congrats!

I really don't see a problem with singing the waiver (should I???) but is it really required by law?

Thanks Ladies!

[ma2two]

I would have a problem going to a medical practice that either lied or was very misinformed about laws that pertain to them. There is no federal law mandating that you sign a refusal to vaccinate form. I know that for a fact, but since it is difficult to prove a negative, you can verify that by asking them to specify which law requires the form. They won't be able to.

If you don't want to bother finding a different practice, I think it would be okay to sign a very simple form acknowledging that the doctor discussed vaccines with you, offered them, and that you are refusing them. I would absolutely not sign a form saying that you are putting your child or others at risk by not vaccinating.

[pammysue]

Hi and welcome to MDC! I think it's great you are researching vaxes.

I totally agree with everything ma2two said.

If you decide you need to switch Drs. the Finding Your Tribe section for your state is a great way to find non-vax friendly Drs in your area.

[SweetSilver]

Originally Posted by ma2two 

If you don't want to bother finding a different practice, I think it would be okay to sign a very simple form acknowledging that the doctor discussed vaccines with you, offered them, and that you are refusing them. I would absolutely not sign a form saying that you are putting your child or others at risk by not vaccinating.

This is the kind of form we sign.  It is about 2 sentences long.  We only started signing for our oldest when she reached school age.  And there is absolutely no other pressure from any of the nurses or doctors at this practice.   Really, they just tell us what they are due for (or overdue for), I initial by the vaccines we are skipping, sign the small slip I mentioned and that. is. all.  I am not sure what laws require them to do what, if anything.  That would be nice to know, but I am happy to sign a *simple* statement stating we are declining.

I love our ped's office!

[MomTo4Monkies]

Well thats unfortunate.  Just got the email back.  The "simple" form she was talking to includes an admission of fault...

http://www2.aap.org/immunization/pediatricians/pdf/RefusaltoVaccinate.pdf

Looks like I've got 5 weeks to find a new ped.

[ma2two]

I'm glad you are willing to switch doctors over this. I hope that you will tell the doctor why you are leaving. There is a small chance that she would allow you to write and sign a simple statement such as I described in my previous post.

I noticed that the letter that came before the form said that federal law mandated a discussion. Actually, federal law mandates that the doctor provide the Vaccine Information Statements (VIS) for each vaccine given, before they are given. This counts as a "discussion." The letter didn't say federal law mandated a refusal to vaccinate form. I guess the doctor didn't read the letter very carefully and that's why she was misinformed. The letter also said the form could be changed to suit individual needs.

Edited by ma2two - 7/11/12 at 6:35pm

[pammysue]

Wow! I would never sign that. It's better to have found out now though.

 You may want to try a family or general physcian. They tend to be more open about vaccines. We have only gone to GPs who see our whole family and I wouldn't have it any other way. Good luck finding a new dr.

[ma2two]

Originally Posted by pammysue 

 You may want to try a family or general physcian. They tend to be more open about vaccines.

That is what we do. A family practice doctor or general physician is much less likely to use that form, because it is written by the American Academy of Pediatrics, which is the trade group for pediatricians, not other kinds of doctors.

[anj_rn]

The Ped is a little confused.  It is not a federal law, but rather a requirement of most state's medicaid program that they track their vaccination levels in their patients.  If the do not have a refusal letter on file for the child, then they get "dinged" on the report.  Too many dings and they lose reimbursement... States vary on what they will accept as a refusal letter, I personally filed a philosophical exemption with the State of Texas, when I rec'd my copies back, I had them notarized and My ped has a copy in both my kids files.  I had to give a copy to the school as well.  In addition, I have a copy of our delayed schedule on file as well, with a letter from me explaining that this was the schedule that we wanted to follow, that I understood the risks & benefits associated with both vaccinating and not vaccinating, and that I felt that the attached schedule was in the best interest of our child based on exposure, health risks, and environment.

The actual ruling from Texas Medicaid, was that a health care provider writing "parent refused vaccinations." was not sufficient, hence the creation of a form.  When lawyers got involved to avoid litigation, it got very complicated.

[MomTo4Monkies]

I see.  I very kindly and plainly told her that we were going to have to part ways as I wasn't comfortable signing that.  I never heard back but got a letter from their office with my children's shot records enclosed stating if our new ped needed anything else to let them know.
 

[Taximom5]

That form from the AAP actually contains this line:  "This form may be duplicated or changed to suit your needs and your patients’ needs."

You may want to point this out to them, and request that it be changed to suit your needs.