This is for MA--I love it when they don't tell you anything and still think it's o.k. to track you whether you vax or not. I know I didn't receive any forms to opt out or in to the program. I'm sure all of my kids are listed in the database
: In their defense, I'm not sure that this has gone into law yet as there wasn't a date listed on the website, but my guess is that if it hasn't already, it will soon.
http://www.vaccinechoice.org/rights.htm
STATE TRACKING SYSTEM ASSAILS PRIVACY
The Department of Public Health(DPH) is in the process of establishing the Massachusetts Immunization Information System (MIIS), a state-wide database designed to track the vaccination status of all children in Massachusetts from birth. The DPH is proposing a regulatory change that
would mandate that all vaccines administered to a child be reported to this tracking system. While use of such a system might be more convenient and time efficient for providers, MCVC believes that some elements warrant significant review.
Privacy is a primary concern. While the DPH has established a consent form for use in conjunction with the MIIS, they nevertheless plan to track both those who offer--and those who withhold--their consent. This ‘consent form’ allows parents to ‘decline consent’ to not have information shared with others, including school systems, health providers, etc.
However, the DPH will keep a list of people who have declined their consent. The child’s name, birth date, place of birth, sex, provider’s medical record number, mother’s maiden and married names, and mother’s date of birth, along with the fact that the parent refused consent will be logged into this DPH system.
If ‘consent status is unknown’ the Department assumes that you’ve consented and will keep your child’s vaccination information on file in addition to the personal identifying information listed above. According to DPH officials, the information belonging to those who withhold their consent will not be shared with any person or agency other than the DPH. For some, even this "limited" exposure would amount to an unacceptable infringement of privacy. And what if your doctor doesn’t present you with the consent form? There is no penalty/consequence to hold doctors accountable within the context of the regulation as written.
The state claims that this registry can "improve safety" of immunizations, yet the DPH has consciously decided NOT to track adverse reactions or medical contraindications to vaccines.
The state hopes to tag and track children who are not vaccinated in order to be able to ‘remind’ parents to get their children vaccinated "on schedule" - even though this schedule is only a compilation of "recommendations", not requirements. A "reminder/recall" component is built into the system. However, parents claiming medical or religious exemptions will be unnecessarily
"reminded" because the state will not be keeping record of these legally supported exemptions.
) and his dentists' office is right next to the pedi. I'm going to drop off the forms requesting that they be removed from the CHIRP system. I'll let y'all know how that goes.
