Adoption Homestudy and Vaxing (crosspost)

[NaturalMom]

We just received additional paperwork today from our homestudy agency. Included in the package was a physical form for any children already living in the household - and half the page was all about which vaxes and when... Our son, who is almost four, has never been vaxed, and we don't plan on vaxing him. What do we put on the form? Or, what should the doctor put??? For school reasons (we plan on homeschooling), we will be claiming religious exemption. However, my brother's child has Aspergers and another brother's child has severe food allergies (peanuts, eggs, etc), so we could say we're delaying them for medical reasons in extended family...?

Anyone else run into this? Anyone rejected in their homestudy because of not vaxing?

Thanks!

[Gitti]

Long Island will give you the best info on that but I know one thing for sure: DO NOT USE A MEDICAL EXEMTION. If you can always use a religious one.

I don't believe the doctor should to be involved in it.

[alegna]

I'd say if they ask just say you have a religious objection.

-Angela

[NaturalMom]

Originally Posted by Gitti

I don't believe the doctor should to be involved in it.

The whole medical form is to be filled out by the doctor, with all the vaccines listed and the date it was given, along with a space for "comments". I'm sure we will address it when we meet with the social worker - just wondering what would make the most sense of the ped to put in the "comments" section.

I'd really like advice from those who may have been through this, since it's specific to adoption. Anyone else have this issue?

Thanks!

[m9m9m9]

Originally Posted by NaturalMom

I'd really like advice from those who may have been through this, since it's specific to adoption. Anyone else have this issue?

Thanks!

I know this is an old post but I was wondering if you ever heard from anyone about this. I am planning to start the adoption process again and know this is going to be an issue.

thanks!

Maggie

[NaturalMom]

Maggie,

I think we got lucky... The pediatrician filled out the form, leaving half of it with the vax info blank. We handed it to the social worker along with some other paperwork, and she never mentioned it, so we didn't either - ! Either she didn't notice or didn't care. Our homestudy was finalized two weeks ago

Good luck,
Maria

[grisandole]

Great! IIRC I answered your post on the adopt board, but for those here, we are certified fost/adopt through our state and the non-vax wasn't an issue at all....we just included our waiver with the paperwork.

[spero]

Originally Posted by NaturalMom

For school reasons (we plan on homeschooling), we will be claiming religious exemption.

FYI, if you are going to homeschool you will not need a vax exemption. Exemptions are needed for schools and daycare.

[NaturalMom]

Originally Posted by skellbelle

FYI, if you are going to homeschool you will not need a vax exemption. Exemptions are needed for schools and daycare.

Thanks for the info - that's great if that's true in your state, but in Virginia it isn't so. We're subject to the same vax requirements as all children and must have proof of vax or valid exemption upon request:

http://www.vahomeschoolers.org/law/vaccinations.asp

Maria

[Emmeline II]

Originally Posted by NaturalMom

Thanks for the info - that's great if that's true in your state, but in Virginia it isn't so. We're subject to the same vax requirements as all children and must have proof of vax or valid exemption upon request:

http://www.vahomeschoolers.org/law/vaccinations.asp

Maria

I'm not a home schooler (well, ds is not going to preschool, anyway...) but I was just going to say that. I once found a link that listed which states required hsr's to have exemptions but can't find it now; does anyone have a link like that for future reference? Maybe we could stick it on a sticky.

[momto l&a]

Originally Posted by skellbelle

FYI, if you are going to homeschool you will not need a vax exemption. Exemptions are needed for schools and daycare.

Not true for California :

[spero]

Thanks for the heads up. This info should definitely be stickied for quick reference!

[m9m9m9]

Maria:
Thanks for posting! I am glad that it ended up being a non- issue. I see that you are in the DC area and so am I. Would you be willing to share who you had do your homestudy? Are you adopting internationally or domestically?

Sadly, if this is an issue, I won't be able to adopt again. My DD came home somewhat vaxed, then I got suckered in by the doctor and new mom's guilt thinking I was going to "harm" my child if I didn't get a couple more done then it got to having to have the MMR and that's where I said never. So I would actually skip adopting again if I was told the only way to complete the homestudy was to completely vax my child.

Maggie