WIC and vaccines?

[grniys]

I have a WIC appointment tomorrow to try to get on the program. The woman I talked to mentioned to bring my son's shot record. I could... but I think I'll be the only one who will laugh that it's empty! So... do I bring a piece of paper saying it's against my religious beliefs, or do I just tell them that tomorrow? Will they make a big deal about me not vaxing him? I know I can get on WIC without him being vaxed, I'm just wondering how to make the "You don't vaccinate your son????" part go by easier.

Sorry if this has been asked before!

[taranbabyjayden]

Just take that paper with your religious exemption.. They ask for the shot record EVERY TIME, but just remind them they have your waiver on file!!!

They can't deny you WIC cause you dont vaccinate... DS is almost 2 and still getting it

[Collinsky]

How much trouble they give you depends on the area and the person you talk to. I just went to get on WIC yesterday, and she asked, "Are their vaccinations up to date?" I said, "They're not vaccinated." She made a note of it and moved on to the next part... no muss, no fuss. Where I lived before, I stopped going to WIC because I did not want to deal with the hassling that I knew was coming as soon as my baby was born. (This was when I was pg with my first.)

Unless you can talk to someone from your area who gets WIC and doesn't vax, going in is the only way to know. They will NOT deny you WIC for not vaccinating, and AFAIK you don't need any documentation at all for it. They might harp on it, though.

If they do hassle you, you can say, "We've discussed this with our family doctor," or "We feel comfortable with our decisions." And don't get sucked into a debate or feeling defensive. They might have their opinion, but it doesn't have anything to do with whether you qualify for WIC or not. :

[chaoticzenmom]

You might want to bring your empty vax record just in case. I wouldn't even worry with an exemption, but it wouldn't hurt I guess. It is law that wic is in no way dependant on vaccines, but I don't know where that is. If you search through the wic threads, you might be able to find the exact wording of the law.

Good for you for getting your ducks in a row.

Actually, I went and found a thread in the archives. http://www.mothering.com/discussions...d.php?t=111461
Lisa

[mamadelbosque]

I was never asked to show our vax record (which is good, cause DS doesn't even have one. There was a little checkbox that just asked "Is he/she uptodate on his/her shots" or something like that with three little checkboxes (yes, no, not sure)... I usually check 'yes' because DS was as up to date as he was going to get Maybe thats "lieing" but whatever.

[ZoeyZoo]

Originally Posted by taranbabyjayden

Just take that paper with your religious exemption.. They ask for the shot record EVERY TIME, but just remind them they have your waiver on file!!!

They can't deny you WIC cause you dont vaccinate... DS is almost 2 and still getting it

CA doesn't have a religious exemption but they do have a philosphical one. It is actually printed on the back of the vax card. You just need to sign and date. If you don't have a blank vax card you can print one online and sign the exemption.

Here's a link to a site that has a copy of it:http://www.vaclib.org/exempt/california.htm

[AlwaysByMySide]

I asked this on this forum a few months ago. I went into WIC today, and it just so happens that the kids have a ped appointment tomorrow, and the baby is sick. They asked for shot records, and I said, "Nothing has changed since the last visit," and then they asked when the next wbvs were, and I told them that they were tomorrow.

The nurse actually came out to the waiting room to ask me if he didn't have any vaxes because he was always sick when he went to the doctor, or if there was another reason. I asked her if it made any difference.

The voucher lady is the one that ALWAYS tries to lecture me, though, and threatens that they won't give me more vouchers until I start giving my kids vaxes. Now that I am better informed, I just say, "Oh, okay," and go on my merry way.

[grniys]

Thanks for all the info everyone. I actually didn't need any of this, because turns out my dh's reenlistment bonus counts towards our income for a year, so we don't qualify until January. I felt so dumb when I realized that. But at least now I know what to do when I go in next year to get on WIC.

AlwaysByMySide- Have you asked the voucher lady where the specific law granting her the authority to discriminate against you is? That would tick me off!

[AlwaysByMySide]

Originally Posted by grniys

AlwaysByMySide- Have you asked the voucher lady where the specific law granting her the authority to discriminate against you is? That would tick me off!

I did after I came here to ask about it and someone posted the info for me. You'd think she would flag me in the system or something so she would remember to stop threatening me. I usually just roll my eyes. I did challenge her on it a couple of months ago, and had the printout of the policy that says that vouchers are not based on vaxes in my purse. I told her I had it in case she wasn't familiar with it.

[Emmeline II]

WIC Eligibility & Vax
"Immunization records and/or an infant/child’s immunization status are in no way tied to the receipt of WIC benefits. "

[JamesMama]

I'm on WIC and I do not vaccinate. I just told them that I do not to vaccinate for religious reasons and they moved on.

[grniys]

Originally Posted by AlwaysByMySide

I did after I came here to ask about it and someone posted the info for me. You'd think she would flag me in the system or something so she would remember to stop threatening me. I usually just roll my eyes. I did challenge her on it a couple of months ago, and had the printout of the policy that says that vouchers are not based on vaxes in my purse. I told her I had it in case she wasn't familiar with it.

LMAO! That's a good idea. I think I'll carry that with me when I go next year.

Emmeline, thank you for the link.

[thepeach80]

No one's even asked us and if they do, I just tell them we don't have it. No one cared.

[brightonwoman]

Originally Posted by mamadelbosque

just asked "Is he/she uptodate on his/her shots" or something like that with three little checkboxes (yes, no, not sure)... I usually check 'yes' because DS was as up to date as he was going to get

By law, they cannot require you to show your vax records...so smile and nod and give them a "oh, I didn't remember to bring them" or whatevver...and if they ask if you are up to date, say "yes" because you are--you are totally up to date with what you plan to get.
The WIC people are NOT doctors. They are not even nurses. They are not licensed to give you any grief about vax (although they may). They were giving me all kinds of trouble when I didn't gain weight for the first 22 wks of my prgnancy. I was not overweight ot start with, but I just didn't gain any weight in the first half...my OB was not worried, and I was not worried. I was feelign regular fetal movement and all that... I had a WIC appointment (including a weigh-in) on the day after my 20wk ultrasound. They said "you haven't gained any weight..." and I looked her in the eye and said "well, at the ultrasound yesterday the baby was moving all over the place, and the doctor said the baby looks great and I look great so I believe HIM." That shut her up!

[Jade2561]

I'm a nutritionist at WIC and it doesn't affect your benefits at all. It is required that we screen for them - basically the check box things. You don't even have to have it when you come for your appointment. Sometimes people will be really pushy about it - it just depends on the person that you're dealing with. They don't put you on a list of people who "aren't following the rules" or anything. It's ultimately your choice.

Not all of us WIC people are horrible.