Vaccine Exemption letter for Maine?

[Nature]

I did a search but couldn't find what I was looking for.

I'm finding conflicting information regarding the exemption letter required for Maine. Does the religious exemption or philosophical exemption letter have to be long and detailed? Can a letter like, "This goes against my religious beliefs" suffice? Most of the examples I find are long and drawn out with Bible verses quoted and stuff. Does Maine require this?

What about the philosophical exemption? I feel that I qualify for either one, my problem is I'm not sure how to go about explaining.. or if I even NEED to explain. If I don't have to, I'd rather not!

Its looking like we might not be homeschooling after all, so I'd like to know what I'm up against for this exemption letter for preschool and beyond. My 4 yo dd was vaccinated up to 3 years and my 21 month old up to her 6 month, but are no longer receiving any. We finally found a supportive pediatrician that is great! Now, just to get this state stuff squared away...

[Gitti]

http://www.vaclib.org/exempt/maine.htm

Our state is the same as yours. We hardly wrote anything.... I am trying to find it. I'll be back.

[Nature]

Okay, forgive me if I'm a little dense here. So do you know what a sample would look like?

That site says "The parent states in writing a sincere religious belief that is contrary to the immunization requirement or an opposition to the immunization for philosophical reasons."

Do I just have to write a one line sentence saying vaccines are contrary to my religion? Or do I have to go into detail and quote scriptures, etc? The "sincere" part is throwing me off.

[Gitti]

We basically said : Vaccines are against our religious belief and we hereby request that this be acknowledged and accepted.

We quoted nothing... since I would not know where to start. :LOL

[Nature]

Okay, so does Maine require the same thing yours did?

[Nature]

bump

[Nature]

So I write a letter stating its against my religious beliefs..get it notarized.. and I mail it to.. where? Is there a form I have to get from somewhere?

[Gitti]

You can ask the school for a vaccine exemptions. They may have the form.

At least they will tell you whether they have it or whether you have to go to the health department or where ever.

The exemption does not have to be mailed anywhere, it has to be handed in at school. To my knowledge to the school nurse.

There is no other reason for an exemption. No one needs it and to my knowledge no one wants it.

[Nature]

Okay, so basically I can deal with it easily during enrollment for Head Start or Kindergarten.

And just a statement that its against my beliefs is all thats needed for Maine right? I don't need to specify which religion, or explain why its against my religion... correct?

Does it get sent to someone who "approves" the exemption, or just filed away?

[Gitti]

Unless they hand you an exemption and you just have to fill out the back, this is what I would write:



To Whom It May Concern:

(We / I) {First and Last name(s)}, as the {(parent (s) / guardian(s)}of _________________________(name of child) are/am exercising (our/my) rights under the First Amendment of the US Constitution and 20-A M.R.S. § 6355(3) to receive Religious Exemption from Vaccination.

Applicable law has been interpreted to mean that a religious belief is subject to protection even though no religious group espouses such beliefs or the fact that the religious group to which the individual professes to belong may not advocate or require such belief. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as amended Nov. 1, 1980; Part 1605.1-Guidelines on Discrimination Because of Religion.

Both parents (or one) sign it.

Get it notarized and take it in to the school nurse.

[Gitti]

Originally Posted by Nature

Does it get sent to someone who "approves" the exemption, or just filed away?

Ours was just taken by the school nurse and we never heard another word about it. That was two years ago.

You don't have to explain anything about your religion. I can't find anywhere that they request that in Main. If they should request it, ask them to show you in writing.