International vx experiences?

[IrishMa]

Hello everyone,

I wanted to know if anyone has had any direct experience with the non-vax position abroad? We have a ten week old whom we are not vaccinating and will be traveling soon. Most likely, we will be transitioning to permanent living in Europe by the time he is school aged so I was hoping to find some good resources regarding all the same issues we have here.

If anyone knows of any good web sites, books, etc..I would be grateful to hear about them.

Thanks!

[JohnnysGirl]

I live in Finland and we don't vax and it's no problem!

[IrishMa]

Hi butterfly mom,

May I ask you if vaccinations are required for school attendance? I saw your signature so I assume that means you might be home schooling but I would be curious as to the "official" position the government is taking. All the stuff going on in Belgium about forced vaxing concerned me.

We will be in Latvia while he is still a baby but eventually I might be confronted with the UK's attitude about it and I haven't really been able to find anything. Either way, it's nice to know Finland might be an option!

[Mirzam]

I am British, but I don't live in the UK and haven't since I have had children, so that is many years ago. I am sure one of the UK, non-vaxing mums will be able to answer your question about schools and vaxes definitively, but to the best of my knowledge, there are no mandatory vaccination requirements for school entry in the UK.

[kxsiven]

Originally Posted by IrishMa

May I ask you if vaccinations are required for school attendance?

Hi - I am a Finn. Nope, no one asks here after your child's vaccinations in daycare or school. It is good to inform school if your child does not have tetanus - just to be safe. Vaccinations are totally volunteer but vax % here is almost 100%. Anti-vax movement is pretty much unknown here, I recently learned on this board that there is indeed quite a difference in vax program compared to for example USA- much more shots in USA.

Many diseases that have pretty much disappeared here in west are still live and well behind our eastern border - that might be one reason why people vax here so faithfully.

But to answer your question regards Finland - no requirements.

[mrscat]

vaccinations in uk

I am british, vaccinations are not compulsory in the uk so you can refuse every single one, dr may harrass you to do it (he gets money for every vaccine he administers) but they are not compulsory at all.
Long may it remain that way

[Mirzam]

Originally Posted by mrscat

I am british, vaccinations are not compulsory in the uk so you can refuse every single one, dr may harrass you to do it (he gets money for every vaccine he administers) but they are not compulsory at all.
Long may it remain that way

Thanks, I thought that was the case. Along with your GP, I guess you have the Health Visitor to contend with too.

[IrishMa]

Thanks MrsCat! That is relieving to hear...It doesn't prevent children from attending school,right? Indeed, I hope it does stay that way. Forced vaccination is frightening trend...

[Gitti]

Absolutely no vaccine requirements for schools in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Spain, UK, Denmark, Eastland, Finland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden although doctors do like to sell drugs (incl. vax) for big Pharma and will try to scare you into doing them.

[IrishMa]

Wow, thanks Gitti! And thank you everyone else for sharing their info. I'm so relieved to hear this and it was much appreciated.

[Astrogirl]

We are in germany. Although my official party line is 'selective and delayed' we have not have DD2 vaxed yet and DD1 was so delayed that she didn't have very much at all by time we registered her for kindergarten. Neither (daycare nor kindy) was a problem - however, we just moved and are encountering a pushy pro-vax ped and we haven't gone back to her and will change again if/when we need a ped.

Do know, that when you get here (at least in Germany), you may be asked for the international vax record by a doctor or such. I got away with it for myself (myself being mostly unvaxxed - I have half of Twinrx and I think a tetanus because of work i did in Mexico) sorta accidentally. I was caught off guard by the question (from my OB) and said 'I'm not sure where that card is, but I'll look for it'. So essentially, i just blew them off and they didn't push the topic. He did ask me every time both times I came in pregnant and mentioned that i would have to get the rubella shot after i gave birth, and I just kinda nodded and said 'sure'.

[IrishMa]

That is really interesting to hear, thanks for the head's up! It's something I wouldn't have thought of until the situation presented itself. Especially good because we have plans to try for a second baby and most likely I will be somewhere in Europe.

Do any multipara have any info/opinions/experience on getting Rhogam vs. not getting it even if you are Rh neg? I got it with this pregnancy, we were so focused on him not getting any shots after he was born that we weren't even thinking about me. So he is Rh pos while I am still neg. Probably something I need to have a handle on before the second one is in the works...

[Spy]

Russian here.

Don't ask.

Possible, yes, and legally exemptions are acceptable, but not easy to actually do it sometimes. A lot depends on who you are and who you're talking to.

[IrishMa]

Originally Posted by Spy

Russian here.

Don't ask.

Possible, yes, and legally exemptions are acceptable, but not easy to actually do it sometimes. A lot depends on who you are and who you're talking to.

Thanks for the reply, Spy! you've reminded me of an unfortunate and very reali$tic observation. I'm sure I'm in the same boat as plenty out there though, whenever I see his bright little smile, I'm ready to fight anyone! :

You can bet I'll be back on this board to share what I've learned in a few months.

[MsLondon]

Originally Posted by mrscat

I am british, vaccinations are not compulsory in the uk so you can refuse every single one, dr may harrass you to do it (he gets money for every vaccine he administers) but they are not compulsory at all.
Long may it remain that way

Ahhh, yet another reason I want to move back to the UK