Starting MA Pre-School... need help with Vaccine waiver/exemption - Page 2

[avivaelona]

In MA, it's all or nothing.

Do you know what "all" consists of though? Is there a list somewhere? Because its possible he actually has all that is required for his age.

I'm angry about how difficult its made to vax on a different schedule, there is this big public health push to vaccinate, but I feel pushed to not vaccinate at all because I can't do it on a schedule that seems reasonable because if I do I have to write a note that's a lie to say I don't believe in vaccinating at all? Based on a religion that I don't have? That's insane.

[mumm]

one dose of varicella vaccine
3 doses hep b
5 doses dtap/dtp
4 doses polio
2 doses mmr
lead and vision screen
phsycial exam

That is the Mass DPH requirement.

[mumm]

Actually a Physical Exam. Oops

[Kerrie]

So I just dropped off the info and just omitted thier vax info and included the letter. I gave it to the principal - he looked at it and didn't say a word.

[avivaelona]

Thanks Mumm, I did finally managed to find it...they didn't make it easy!

I think that is the list for kindergarten, for preschool it said

3 of HepB
4 of DTP or DTaP
3 of Polio
at least 1 of HiB
1 MMR

and 1 of varicella,


So he's ok except for the varicella which means that because we are still trying to decide about the safety and efficacy and necessity of this rather new vaccine, we are going to have to do a religious exemption, which is the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard of. If I'm asked, do I say my sincere religious beliefs are that I actually believe in good science? At this point belief in well researched and founded science probably is akin to a religious belief. Grrrrr.

Maybe I need to start a religion which only has a sincerely held opinion about varicella.

Does his great noodly appendage have an opinion on pox?

[Kerlowyn]

Originally Posted by avivaelona

Maybe I need to start a religion which only has a sincerely held opinion about varicella.

Does his great noodly appendage have an opinion on pox?

:

Pastafarians Unite!

[camotyka]

I am so confused .

So because my DS has been vaccinated in the past I'm unable to file an exemption because MA is all or nothing? If I send the exemption letter into the school won't the letter conflict with the physical form that get filled out by the pediatricians office? UGH! I'm really lost.

[Kerlowyn]

You can file an exemption letter anytime you want.

If you no longer want to vax, you need to send in a religious exemption letter. You do not submit the vax records your doc has on file, and the school can not ask for them. There was a form from the school that the doc filled out when DS2 had his physical. If you have that form, the doc can fill it out and leave the vax questions blank. Mine just ended up checking the box 'up to date' anyhow.

If your doc checks off the box 'not up to date', then the exemption letter explains why, end of story.

You do not need to tell the school your child has been vaxed for anything. As far as what they need to know, the letter explains it all, that you don't vax.

[avivaelona]

Camotyka we got a new medical form from the school and asked the docs office to fill it out with no vaccination info. We haven't gotten it back yet but I assume its ok because the secretary had no problem when I asked them to fill it out that way.

Its very frustrating if you selectively or delayed vax because you do have to essentially say that you don't, I think its really poor public policy.

[i*wish]

:
Jumping in late here but I'm sending my info in today... one day early
Anyhow, I had my doctor fill out the 'physical exam' part of the form but leave the vax info section blank (we had done a couple of vaxes early on). I will submit that with the letter. Could you have your doctor re-do the form that way? I think it's kinda funny because by not filling that in the doctor is kinda 'lying' right? but she did it so i'll shut up now....

[Caly]

bump

ok, I have DD's K registration/orientation coming up in April. So I don't submit ANYTHING other than a religious form for DD? she has some vax's but not all. I 'm especially hesitant about the pox one. I'm scared.

and maybe i should post elsewhere but I believe at their 5 year check up their are some boosters needed as well like polio, DTP, MMR? how important are those boosters? maybe it's time to blow the dust off of our Dr. Sears vax book ;(

[Kerrie]

All I gave them was thier physical form and the exemption letter. They don't need to know what my kids have and have not received. Yes, at 5 they get thier 'kindergarden' shots. Don't remember what they are.

[Caly]

Originally Posted by Kerrie

All I gave them was thier physical form and the exemption letter. They don't need to know what my kids have and have not received. Yes, at 5 they get thier 'kindergarden' shots. Don't remember what they are.

Hey kerrie! for some strange reason I think that our Doc puts on the form whether she is or isn't fully vaxed so that's why I'm nervous. I want to say he even breaks it out to what she has/hasn't received.

[DaughterOfKali]

Even if the child is partially vaxed, it's not a problem as long as you submit that written exemption.

[Caly]

i found the form from DDs physical last year. It clearly states at the top of the page the vax name and the date(s) it was given.

won't really look good especially because it's only a few other vaxes that I dont want to give her. KWIM?

Errrrr, I get so worked up over this

[Kerrie]

Our doctor now gives me the physical form and a seperate computer print-out with the vax they have received. Maybe you can ask to have them omit that or is there a way to get a copy that does not include space for the vax on the form?

[Monicalynn]

What about the lead test?

I don't want to have to take my kid in for a blood draw to see if he has lead posioning. It makes no sense to me why they should care...it's not contagious. Does the exemption work for this, too>

[DaughterOfKali]

They didn't require the lead test for my son.

Also, the preschool (and now elementary) doesn't care that it shows that my ds had vax for the first year of his life. They accept the exemption now without question.

[boobyfeeder]

I always wondered about the lead test. Why does it matter to the schools?

[Rico'sAlice]

I think it matters to the school in the sense that lead poisoning is bad, it's good public policy to have every small child tested, and this is a way to make it happen. Also, since lead poisoning can lead to behavior problems, learning delays, etc. I guess it would effect the teachers dealing with the child.
Also, as the parent, if I were to send my child to school (or daycare) I would want a level taken before they started, so that if they had problems later and testing showed a high level I would know the source was the school and not my home.

But if it's really an issue for you you probably could just write your own letter, but I can't find any sort of info on actual law allowing for exemption. I guesss blood draws could be against your religion? But would you not get one in other circumstances?

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