Opting out of SHOTS?

[sunnmama]

With a notice of birth registration for ds, I got a form that allows us to opt out of SHOTS--State Health Online Tracking System. It is the state program tracking vax record. Ds is unvaxed, and will remain so for the forseeable future.

Is there any downside to sending in this form/opting out? Am I flagging myself for special attention by doing so?

Thanks!

[eli's mama]

As far as I know opting out means they can't track you. My midwife strongly suggested we do not register with this system to avoid unwanted attention. We are in CT, not sure where you are.

[sunnmama]

We are in FL.

It is the way they have handled it that confuses me.....they register you automatically. In order to *avoid* registration, I need to send in a form. But it seems like sending in a form would be screaming *look at me!* While if I did nothing, and never get any shots, maybe we'd be lost in a sea of records. So I wasn't sure what to do.

[alegna]

I would opt out.

-Angela

[CallMeMommy]

I opted out of our state's tracking system (2 years after the fact, I never got any notice that I needed to opt out when DS was born : )

[InDaPhunk]

I live in FL and posted about this exact thing in one of the old FL vax threads. I had the same thoughts and concerns that you had.

In the end, I didn't mail it in and opt out, it just would have made me feel too exposed to do so. I haven't heard anything about it since then fwiw, DS is 21 months and no one from the state has contacted me about him not getting vaxes.

The whole thing creeped me out. I understand why they set it up the way they do but still...

[giggleball]

In our state (NC) it is my understanding that when we opt out our doctor will just make a note that we are claiming religious exemption and the vax's I already had for our older two kids will be wiped away.

[sunnmama]

So, April, maybe I should be the MDC test-case for the other scenario? Maybe I'll send it in, and see what happens. Then we'll know what advice to give others in the future!

It would be nice if they would wipe out dd's file, too, if she has one. We'll see....

[sheilajolene]

Do all states have this!?! I've never heard of it. :

[LianneM]

I'm in FL also and too freaked out by it to send in the form. I haven't even done a religious exemption at the health dept...

[Fyrestorm]

Originally Posted by eli's mama

As far as I know opting out means they can't track you. My midwife strongly suggested we do not register with this system to avoid unwanted attention. We are in CT, not sure where you are.

In CT as well...We opted out and have not heard word one from ANYONE reguarding vaccinations.

[xmysticprincessx]

when we were filling out the paperwork at the hospital for ds's birth certificate and social security number, the next form to do was to be put onto the immunization registry. we declined, so we were not put on it. weird that here you have to ASK to be put on it, but in FL you are automatically enrolled. (we're in ny.)

[InDaPhunk]

Originally Posted by sunnmama

So, April, maybe I should be the MDC test-case for the other scenario? Maybe I'll send it in, and see what happens. Then we'll know what advice to give others in the future!

It would be nice if they would wipe out dd's file, too, if she has one. We'll see....

Sounds fab! Better you than me .

Since no one has contacted me that makes me wonder what their ultimate goal is. Does is state the main purpose on the very small form they sent you? I have no clue where mine is.

I found this:
http://www.doh.state.fl.us/flshots/what/

The website feels a lot less sinister than the form I got notifying me of the program and for opting out. Course, being 4 days PP I was majorly hormonal so I was a wee bit paranoid, I'm not so much now .

[PerennialMom]

In this state (MI) you can opt out. We opt out. Even if we did vax (which we don't) I'd opt out anyway.

[box_of_rain]

I live in Vermont, and I haven't heard anything about this in my state. Has this been instituted in all states?

Have I not heard because we decline the vaccines, I wonder?

[Deborah]

I don't think it is in Vermont yet. Not a state where people like being documented to death, I guess.

[sheilajolene]

I'll ask my last question again: Is this in every state? I googled and only saw FL. Does anyone have a link to info on this?

[suschi]

Seems like they're going to track you somehow either way, they have your child's info via ssn.

With that said, I sent the opt out form in (FL)

As far as every state, most if not all have some sort of tracking system, I found this,

http://www.cdc.gov/nip/registry/privacy/legsurv.htm

but last update was 2005...

As you can see above, Wisconsin is listed as not having a registry, and/or not connected with the national registry. (the goal is to get all states connected to the national registry)



But below, you will see not only does Wisconsin have a tracking system, ANYONE who has the SSN can check the immunization records!!!!!!!

https://www.dhfswir.org/PR/portalInfoManager.do

FTR, Vermont does have a registry as well,

"The Registry was established by state law in 1997. It was designed, developed, and is operated by the Vermont Department of Health, which contributes its extensive knowledge in health surveillance, vital statistics, technology, and immunization."

http://healthvermont.gov/hc/vtimms/overview.aspx

[CrunchyBikerMama]

I live in FL, too, and I did not send in the form to opt out. I don't trust the government not to use my signature on that form against me at some point. I don't believe that by signing the form, the government "can't" track me. They can do whatever they want, and I think I'd be tracked regardless. I'd rather try to fly under the radar. But that's me - I'm a little paranoid.