OH preschool vax exemption?

[mags]

I did a search here and could not find what I was looking for. We are in OH and my son will be starting preschool in the autumn. He is partially vaxed, I stopped vaxing him when I did my research for baby #2 (who is not vaxed at all). He will be attending a private preschool. Can I still use a vax waiver? I am planning to use a philosophical waiver. Do I need to have our ped write a letter as well? I just want to make sure I know exactly what to do before I take my son in for his physical, since that is when the doctor will also fill out the health and vax record, so things can hopefully go as smoothly as possible. I'm really nervous about this vax waiver thing and that they will reject it at the preschool. TIA!

*******UPDATE on post #15.

[Emmeline II]

Unless your preschool accepts public funds they are not obligated to accept your exemption. I would submit a religious exemption without drawing attention to it and citing the law in the letter.

[jaidymama]

Actually, it depends on the state. You'll likely have to ask them about their policy of accepting Non Vaxed Kids, and I would suggest not telling them he is partially vaxed. A friend of mine had her daughter partially vaxed and then had trouble getting a waiver.

The other thing is if your dc will only be there for a year... maybe you could get him in anyways because he is partially vaxed. Some friends of mine considered enrolling their unvaxed students recently when a policy changed at their preschool. They were contemplating enrolling anyways, and alluding to the fact that they would be looking into scheduling vaccinations. The following year these students would have been going to a different school.

In MT you cannot get a preschool waiver because of licensing. It had nothing to do with the monetary aspect of it. However, in public school K-12 there are waivers available.

A group of parents are actually working to get this changed for preschools here.

[Emmeline II]

In MT you cannot get a preschool waiver because of licensing. It had nothing to do with the monetary aspect of it. However, in public school K-12 there are waivers available.

The MT law that I read only applied to daycares; are you saying that the state does not differentiate between daycare and preschool?

Originally Posted by jaidymama

Actually, it depends on the state. You'll likely have to ask them about their policy of accepting Non Vaxed Kids, and I would suggest not telling them he is partially vaxed. A friend of mine had her daughter partially vaxed and then had trouble getting a waiver.

I would not ask the school about their policy; it just invites them to say no. The law either does or does not prohibit unvaxed children to be in daycare or preschool. Most states do not have law regarding that. Though I agree that not mentioning prior vax status is usually best, they may have access to the state vax database; in any case you are entitled to come to an new understanding of your religious beliefs.

[mags]

So, even though OH allows philosophical exemption, I should try to go for religious exemption?

I have no clue if they have a policy about vax, I read through all the materials that were given to me and saw no info, and I was made a pt to read through the medical form and there was nothing about mandatory vax. In fact, I also looked at the public school's preschool too and had forgotten to take our name off of their waitlist, they called me a few wks ago to say they will keep a spot for us until the school's office re-opens before school starts again. I am thinking that maybe that was a good mistake... b/c if the private preschool we want rejects us based on our vax status, at least I know the public school preschool cannot reject us based on our vax status.

[columbusmomma]

I don't think legally they can refuse you. As a school nurse we give parents what the "law requires for school". however all a parent has to do is submit a form(that I give them) stating they don't vax for either:medical reason,philosophical, or religious reason. We don't need any other "proof" or documentation. The situation ends there! It's a parent's RIGHTto not vax! I filled out the same paper for my DS when he started kindergarten last year. He's partially vaxed. When DD, unvaxed, starts school I'll do the same.

[mags]

Originally Posted by columbusmomma

I don't think legally they can refuse you. As a school nurse we give parents what the "law requires for school". however all a parent has to do is submit a form(that I give them) stating they don't vax for either:medical reason,philosophical, or religious reason. We don't need any other "proof" or documentation. The situation ends there! It's a parent's RIGHTto not vax! I filled out the same paper for my DS when he started kindergarten last year. He's partially vaxed. When DD, unvaxed, starts school I'll do the same.

Thanks! I will call the school on monday just to ask if they have any type of policy. I would hope that I am not the only person who they have ever encountered that does not vax. The preschool has been around for over 20 yrs, but then I live in an area where ppl are generally ignorant about this type of thing, so I wouldn't be surprised if I did end up being the first person with this issue. I was just going to print out one of the exemption forms from dr. tenpenny's site to hand in.

BTW, if you don't mind me asking, how do you like school nursing? Coincidentally, I just saw two school nursing jobs available in my area (right before reading your post, lol). I am an RN and have thought about it before, but have mixed feelings about the vax part of it. I've wanted to get a job at the public health dept before but have mixed feelings, since vax is such a big part of what they do.

[abomgardner417]

I'm in Ohio and as far as I know private schools and daycares do not have to abide by the same vaccination laws that public schools do, regardless of what exemptions the state has. If they did not give you a vaccination record to have your doctor fill out then I would not even mention it to them. Or you could call and tell them you'll be taking ds to the doc soon and ask if there's any paperwork your doc needs to fill out. If they say no I wouldn't even bring it up. My concern with saying you have a religious exemption would be that they would want some kind of proof from your religious leader and that will end up stressing you out more if it would be difficult to get. Better to keep mum and only bring up a philosophical exemption if asked IMHO!

[mags]

Originally Posted by abomgardner417

I'm in Ohio and as far as I know private schools and daycares do not have to abide by the same vaccination laws that public schools do, regardless of what exemptions the state has. If they did not give you a vaccination record to have your doctor fill out then I would not even mention it to them. Or you could call and tell them you'll be taking ds to the doc soon and ask if there's any paperwork your doc needs to fill out. If they say no I wouldn't even bring it up. My concern with saying you have a religious exemption would be that they would want some kind of proof from your religious leader and that will end up stressing you out more if it would be difficult to get. Better to keep mum and only bring up a philosophical exemption if asked IMHO!

Thank you. Now I am worried that they probably will reject us. They did provide a medical form that has a spot for vax, but nowhere on it does it say that vax are mandatory. They have a long waiting list, so it's no skin off of their back if we cannot enroll due to our vax status.

[columbusmomma]

Originally Posted by mags

Thanks! I will call the school on monday just to ask if they have any type of policy. I would hope that I am not the only person who they have ever encountered that does not vax. The preschool has been around for over 20 yrs, but then I live in an area where ppl are generally ignorant about this type of thing, so I wouldn't be surprised if I did end up being the first person with this issue. I was just going to print out one of the exemption forms from dr. tenpenny's site to hand in.

BTW, if you don't mind me asking, how do you like school nursing? Coincidentally, I just saw two school nursing jobs available in my area (right before reading your post, lol). I am an RN and have thought about it before, but have mixed feelings about the vax part of it. I've wanted to get a job at the public health dept before but have mixed feelings, since vax is such a big part of what they do.

I love being a school nurse! As far as the vax part and my job I don't really think about it in a philosophical way that I do for my family. I am required to enter the shot record in the computer and tell the family what is required by law. I also have to exclude a child if they "don't comply' by such and such a date. I keep forms in my desk that can be filled out if a family isn't vaxing. Never is it my job to coerce or tell the family anything about vaxes. Really once the child gets to kindergarten they are usually receiving vaxes anyway, since most people in the general population vax. it isn't my role to to promote them, just give them the info about what school requirements are. We never give vaxes ourselves either as school nurses. We never, ever look at a child without shots and make contact with the family and encourage/promote or question their reasonings, not our job! The paper is just filed and that's the extent of it!
I love this job, hanging out with kids of all ages, providing first-aid, counseling, linking families with community resources if they are in need, teaching a health related topic, etc. Not to mention summers and holidays off! I highly recommend school nursing! this will be my 9th year and I plan to stay until retirement!
Keep us posted on your situation with the 2 schools!!

[Emmeline II]

Originally Posted by abomgardner417

My concern with saying you have a religious exemption would be that they would want some kind of proof from your religious leader and that will end up stressing you out more if it would be difficult to get. Better to keep mum and only bring up a philosophical exemption if asked IMHO!

I agree it is better to keep mum, but I would submit a religious exemption (if I had to give one) to a facility who may have the right to refuse one. OH law doesn't even suggest the religious leader thing (A pupil who presents a written statement of the pupil's parent or guardian in which the parent or guardian declines to have the pupil immunized for reasons of conscience, including religious convictions, is not required to be immunized.); it doesn't make sense in a state with a philo anyway, but even if they did I would challenge their right to demand one.

[mamadelbosque]

I'd just submit a philo... I don't see how they could refuse a philo but have to accept a religious one in a state that has both. If they're truely 100% privatly funded they don't, technically, have to accept either. If they recieve a penny of public funds though, they have to accept both. Or thats how I've always understood it.

[Emmeline II]

Originally Posted by mamadelbosque

I'd just submit a philo... I don't see how they could refuse a philo but have to accept a religious one in a state that has both. If they're truely 100% privatly funded they don't, technically, have to accept either. If they recieve a penny of public funds though, they have to accept both. Or thats how I've always understood it.

What I am saying, is if they are privately funded a religious exemption appears more..."serious" than a philosophical exemption (which seems to give the impression of being "faddish." It also give you the opportunity to get on your high horse and say "are you discriminating against me due to my religious beliefs", which can be intimidating. A place that must accept both (ultimately) may still give you a hard time initially, which a religious exemption can help avoid.

[jaxxy]

mags....did you call them today? My DS is starting private Montessori Pre-school in the fall and the form they gave me for vax only has a box for medical or religious exemption. I'm not sure what to do. I told them he was unvaxed at this point and they seemed okay with it. I planned to use the philosophical exemption but I have heard that private schools don't have to accept that. Hopign to hear good news from you!

[mags]

I wanted to update on what happened. My DS had his physical this wknd with the ped. Our ped is not exactly thrilled with our decision not to vax, but he is respectful of it. My son is partially vaxed and he did fill out the vaxes that my son had on the medical form from the school. I sent my DH with my son, and had told my DH I'd rather the doctor left off what vaxes our son already had, in case the school get in a huff about why he had some, but not all the vaxes, yet we are filing an exemption. The ped said he couldn't leave it blank, b/c it would be falsifying records. When my DH mentioned our concern, the doctor surprised my DH by saying that if the school gave us a hard time, he wants us to have the school call him, since it's illegal for the school to force parents to vax, that parents have the right to refuse vax. I have to say, I am impressed by this, I don't think most mainstream peds would go out on a limb like this and honestly I am not sure if most peds know this bit of information. Most peds act like you are doing something very wrong if you do not vax.

So, my DH dropped off the papers at the school today, the director looked over the papers to make sure everything was there, noticed that the vax record was not filled in all the way, and then saw the vax waiver (I got one off of dr. tenpenny's site, since she is in ohio), and said to my DH, "Oh good, I'm glad you included your own exemption form (we used the philosophical one), b/c I have to report it to the state and if you didn't fill one of these out, I would have to have you fill one out." From the sound of it, we must not be the first family she has encountered that had vax exemptions. So, I am relieved that part is taken care of. Parents have orientation this thursday and then next wed is my son's first day of school, the paperwork part has been taken care of. As if there are not enough things to freak out over a child's first time in school, I would never in a million yrs have thought I'd be freaking out over a piece of paperwork! You would not believe how anxious I have been about this and about the idea of possibly being treated like a criminal or rejected from the school b/c of our decision not to vax. I'm glad that the doctor and preschool both seem to informed on how to, 'deal" with our type of situation though, it is a huge relief that I did not have to go into defense mode. Plus, now I know that when I have to go through this with my youngest son next yr (who has had NO vaxes at all), that it won't be a big deal.

[ASusan]

Phew! So glad it worked out. I, too, was worried about this paperwork. My daycare director didn't blink an eye when, in response to her query, I told her that there was an exemption form in his stack of paperwork.