Vaccine exemption in NJ + preschool recs

[romajo]

Hey mamas,

I have a few questions. My oldest will be 4 in April, and I'm looking into preschool for him. We delay/selectively vax, and I'm trying to figure out what the best way to go about a vax exemption letter is. When I write the letter, do I act as if he hasn't been vaxed at all, and state that it goes against our religious beliefs? Do you have to claim all or nothing here?

When they ask for his paperwork, do I just include our letter in replace of his vax records, or should I bring this up ahead of time with them?

Also, does anyone have any recommendations for a good preschool in South Jersey? We are in Gloucester County (Mullica Hill).

TIA! :)

[Cynthia Mosher]

Welcome to Mothering romajo!

For your questions about vaccination exemption in NJ you might get more info over in the I'm Not Vaccinating forum. 

Hopefully someone in your area will post with recommendations for a preschool. :)

[romajo]

I'll post over there as well :) Thanks!
 

[JuliaMaite]

Hi,

I'm not in your area, but I do live in NJ.  I'm answering just in case you don't get people from NJ answering in the other forum.  There is a yahoo group called NJvaccinationsupport for specifics about NJ exemption.  I just wrote a letter stating it was against the principles of my religion to get vaccinated when my daughter started preschool (she's 4 also), and I included it in the packet requesting the vaccination records (I did NOT discuss this with anyone, before, during or after).  I did not include ANY vaccinations, it only leaves the door open for questions and doubts about why your religion would be okay with some and not others.  Also, it is best to leave it simple and to the point.  My whole letter was no more than 3 sentences.  You must state it is against your religion, and why it is against your religion.  I wrote that it was against my religion because it was against the tenants of my religion (yes, circular, but it works). From the experience in the yahoo group, in NJ, the longer the letter, the more chance you get of getting a call from an auditing nurse.  Also, general advise is not to get into verbal discussions with the school staff when you submit the letter.  Just submit it.  If they ask any questions, just ask if what you submitted is lacking, they should not be asking you what religion you are, etc...
 

Let me know if you need the wording I used.