My experience with getting a religious exemption in Florida... - UPDATE at post #17 - Page 2

[ERSsmom]

Originally Posted by InDaPhunk

Speaking of the SHOTS state tracking program, I got the opt out form in the mail soon after DS was born (we live in FL). We haven't had DS vaxed but I didn't fill out the form even though I don't want to be tracked. To be honest, I was too freaking paranoid . I felt screwed either way- don't send in the form and presumably be tracked automatically while getting no vaxes- or send in the form and opt out.....which felt to me like I'd be stamping my forehead with huge red letters saying SUBVERSIVE: MONITOR MY BEHAVIOR on it. So, I did nothing. If anyone has any thoughts on this issue, feel free to chime in (as I jack this thread, sorry OP ).

I felt exactly the same way and did not opt out. DS is two now and has no vax and I have not heard anything from them. I feel this is better than giving an obvious red flag by opting out. I am waiting to get an exemption and at that point, I will opt out.

Glad to hear they responded and apologized.

[suschi]

WRT: opting out in FL, I think either way you are screwed. You are being tracked either way if your child has a SSN. I wrestled with the same thing myself, and ended up sending in the opt out forms. That was about 4 or 5 years ago.

[ripcurlgirl26]

Excuse me for being ignorant, but I'm taking this as you needed the exemption for day care/preschool? I was under the impression that religious exemptions in FL were only for public schools. Does this mean I don't have to listen to my mother complain that DS will never get into a daycare (not that I plan on having him attend one anyway).

I wonder if the opt-out form for the SHOTS program is online somewhere... No wait, that would make it too easy. DS is on there for his 1 heb B. shot at birth before I was "enlightened" and it ticks me off to no end.

Anyways, you go Mama! What an inspiration.

[Spacey1]

Hi...when I lived in FL and got an exemption for my DD who is now 3, the form says: I am the parent or legal guardian of the above-named child. Immmunizations are in conflict with my religious tenets or practices. Therefore, I request that my child be enrolled in school, preschool, child day care facilities, or family day care homes, without immunizations required by sections 232.032, F.S.,402.305, F.S. and 402.313, F.S.
So I assume it is just for school puposes only.
I was never given a hard time in Naples, FL
The Lady just basically didn't acknowledge me.
Also I never put my DD's SS# on the form, so does this mean she's not enrolled in the SHOTS Gov't tracking?

[suschi]

Originally Posted by ripcurlgirl26

Excuse me for being ignorant, but I'm taking this as you needed the exemption for day care/preschool? I was under the impression that religious exemptions in FL were only for public schools. Does this mean I don't have to listen to my mother complain that DS will never get into a daycare (not that I plan on having him attend one anyway).

I wonder if the opt-out form for the SHOTS program is online somewhere... No wait, that would make it too easy. DS is on there for his 1 heb B. shot at birth before I was "enlightened" and it ticks me off to no end.

Anyways, you go Mama! What an inspiration.

Yes, there are "required" vaccines for daycare or school entry. We didn't use either, so I didn't have to worry about the exemptions until school age.

[ERSsmom]

Originally Posted by Spacey1

Hi...when I lived in FL and got an exemption for my DD who is now 3, the form says: I am the parent or legal guardian of the above-named child. Immmunizations are in conflict with my religious tenets or practices. Therefore, I request that my child be enrolled in school, preschool, child day care facilities, or family day care homes, without immunizations required by sections 232.032, F.S.,402.305, F.S. and 402.313, F.S.
So I assume it is just for school puposes only.
I was never given a hard time in Naples, FL
The Lady just basically didn't acknowledge me.
Also I never put my DD's SS# on the form, so does this mean she's not enrolled in the SHOTS Gov't tracking?

I believe if they are born in Florida they are automatically entered.

[Sirte]

Originally Posted by ripcurlgirl26

Excuse me for being ignorant, but I'm taking this as you needed the exemption for day care/preschool? I was under the impression that religious exemptions in FL were only for public schools. Does this mean I don't have to listen to my mother complain that DS will never get into a daycare (not that I plan on having him attend one anyway).

I wonder if the opt-out form for the SHOTS program is online somewhere... No wait, that would make it too easy. DS is on there for his 1 heb B. shot at birth before I was "enlightened" and it ticks me off to no end.

Anyways, you go Mama! What an inspiration.

The religious exemption that I have for my daughter is for her daycare - she's only 22 months old. I have not submitted it to them yet because they won't need it until the new school year. It's a long story, but I didn't have an exemption form for her when I registered her for this past school year. And they sort of forgot to get her vaccine card from me so...I just didn't say anything about it. But when I register her for the new school year starting in August, I will give them the exemption form and I expect not to have a problem (crosses fingers!)

According to Florida law, all daycares, preschools, childcare facilities, etc. must accept vax exemption forms. Scroll down to about the middle of the following webpage for more info:
http://www.know-vaccines.org/exemptionFAQ.html

Also, you can find the exemption form for the Florida SHOTS program here:
http://www.flshots.org/forms/OptOutDH-1478.pdf

Sorry to bump this post. But I wanted to answer ripcurlgirl's question. Thanks for the encouragement from all who responded to my update!

[blessedwithboys]

sorry you had a hard time, but way to hold your ground!

i went to one of the brevard cty clinics and had no problem at all.

[rmzbm]

Good job!

[Spacey1]

HMMMMM...thanks for SHOTS link...can't see how they're actually allowed to do that without your consent!!!
Will be checking if DD is in database.......

[LongIsland]

Originally Posted by Spacey1

HMMMMM...thanks for SHOTS link...can't see how they're actually allowed to do that without your consent!!!

They call it "implied consent."

[Spacey1]

Implied my arse!!!!!
ALready a bit paranoid about gov't involvement in anything......many many years ago a persons SS# was not to be used as identity...I guess we can all see where thats gone. :

[LongIsland]

[Annikate]

Thank you for bumping this thread! While I don't have to worry about this issue just yet, I do live in FL and I'm very grateful to have found this information.

I do remember reading the Pasco thread a while back and I'm collecting info for my *arsenal.*

[Summertime Mommy]

It is really awful that you had such a bad experience. It is odd to me that so many people have a a problem here in Florida. You all should come to my county, I guess. The man didnt give me any problems for my girls. He asked me if the reason I wasn't vaxing was for religious reasons, and then he said well even if its not just tell me it is, because that's all I can do here. Then he gave me the exemption and we were done. I was prepared for a fight and there was nothing of the sort. Oh, and they didn't even ask me if she had been given any previous vaccines, which I was really worried about, because Gwen did get them until 2 months.

[New Mexico Beach]

I think you handled it SO well. Good thing you were prepared, huh?! I hope that if the time comes I be as well spoken as you. I tend to blank out in 'confrontational' type discussions. I end up leaving and then coming up with all the right things to say after the fact.

[Momtezuma Tuatara]

[SabraMamma]

Thanks for sharing your story. I also live in Fl and my kids have a religious exemption. I got theirs 2 years ago. My experience was so easy- just brought in their social security cards, told them what I wanted, wasn't asked a single question, and got the forms. I wish it was that easy for everyone!!

[nerin]

help!

i'm also so grateful to have found this thread, though i will say it increases my fear about 10 fold! i was so hoping FL was an easy state. why why why am i afraid of confrontation?!?! because i was always taught to respect authority and to do what i was told? guess what, i'm pretty sure that the people in "authority" don't respect ME! GRRRRR!

i live in Leon County, FL and just called yesterday to find out the "procedure" for obtaining a religious exemption. i was told that i had to make an appointment and for some reason THAT freaks me out too! i guess because it means i'm going to have to sit down face to face with someone who is likely TRYING to trip me up and make me fail. anyone with specific experience in Leon?

also, my kids are 5, 3.5, and 4mo. my oldest dd is starting Kindergarten next year (she is vaxed up to this point, but i don't want the boosters she's "required" to get). 3yo dd is starting preK and is also currently up to date on vaxes (tho we delayed some quite a bit with her...she just got MMR last fall). 4mo ds has not been vaxed at all as we are still researching things. if he IS vaxed, it will be selective, so my question is: can i/should i obtain expemptions for all of my children at one time? i'm praying so -- i can't imagine having to do this more than once?!??!

[SabraMamma]

I'm in Leon County. It really was not hard. I was not asked any questions about what my religion was or why I did not approve of vaxing. All I needed was my children's birth certificates and social security numbers and we filled out the forms and I was out of there right away. Do not worry about it- but be prepared in case you are asked any questions. Also, as far as getting the religious exemption for all 3 of your children, do it all at the same time. The form does not expire and if you get them all at once, you will not need to ever go back. I got both of mine at the same time and my younger DC was less than a year old at the time. Good luck!