Any other VA non-vaxers have an idea of how long I can fly under the radar? :)

[averymybaby]

I'm in VA. We don't vaccinate our kids now, though DD did have a couple rounds as a baby and I think DS had one round. Since then though, we've pretty much been under the radar. We don't do well visits right now (haven't seen the need - they are growing normally), only go to the ped's if our kids are at the point where we *know* they need meds, etc. like if they have bronchitis, etc. We have been insanely lucky with both of them considering they were both premature (DD severely). Yay for breastfeeding!

At this time we have no plans to put them in school. We will most likely homeschool. Is there anything official I need to be doing to say we don't vaccinate? I mean I can stave off our pediatricians for however long I guess, by not going to well visits and only going for sick visits. So far they haven't hassled us (but I don't know if they will in the future... so I guess at that point we'd refuse and switch). Just wondering if there is anything I need to do here in VA if we don't plan on putting them in public school.

[Zillabaubles]

Yup, it's easy to do. Just print this form then take it to your bank and have it notarized. I had no issues at all dealing with my children's school but that might be due to it being a Montessori and they are used to parents like 'us'.

I don't know of any reason that you would need to show proof of vaccinations if you are homeschooling etc but it doesn't hurt to have that on hand if necessary. Print off a few copies and have them all notarized at once. hth

[Missy]

We've never had to show proof, and I don't think I've ever heard of another hser who has. Getting an exemption would be more of a CYA-type-thing. Hopefully, you'll never really need it.

We were with Whole Child Pediatrics in Ashburn very briefly, and, while they really didn't meet our needs otherwise, they had a great attitude about vaxing. They felt it was the decision of the parent, no hassle, end of discussion.

[averymybaby]

Thanks for that link Jenifer!

Missy thanks. We wanted to use Whole Child but they don't take our insurance (the only ones I've ever encountered that don't use United Healthcare... very odd!).

[Gitti]

Oh, I am so slow. In meantime several posts came on.

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

[Missy]

Oh, that stinks. For future reference, my dh goes to Dr. Nekoba in Springfield; he's a family practitioner and I know several hsing families who really like him. Again, he doesn't pressure you about vaxing.