Deciding for/against Vax for DD

[Tari Mithrandir]

I am new to these forums and was referred by a mom on another site
My husband and I are looking more closely at vax info and trying to make an informed decision on what to do for our DD. To date, she is fully vaxxed.
I have never been comfortable with vaccines, but when stuck in the loop of feeling guilty if I don't vax and she catches something, to feeling guilty if I do vax and something happens... I caved and so she is vaxxed. Part of that is because my DH and mother were of the mind "We've all been vaxxed and are fine!" as well as that my DH had no clue about the dangers and blood/brain barrier, etc.
But as her 6 month well visit approaches, I am having the same panicked feeling I have had before and after each of the others, and have decided that maybe we should look into a bit more. DH has agreed to do some research with me We are planning on picking up the Vaccine Book by Dr. Sears this week, as well as some online reading.

My question here is this:
If we choose to do delayed vaccination (waiting until after she is 2) or to stop the vax completely...
1) Is there any type of problem that could come of stopping them at her age?
2) Where can we find out what the exemption laws are in NJ? Do they have to be religious reasons or can we just say No?

If you can think of anything else we may need to know about making the decision, please post it here

[spero]

http://909shot.com/state-site/NewJersey.htm

NJ offers religious and medical exemptions for school entry and daycare. You won't need one unless/until you will utilize either of those. At the doctor, you can just say No - though they are likely to hassle/scare/intimidate you about it to some degree.

You can stop vaxing at any time.

[Tari Mithrandir]

Originally Posted by spero

http://909shot.com/state-site/NewJersey.htm

NJ offers religious and medical exemptions for school entry and daycare. You won't need one unless/until you will utilize either of those. At the doctor, you can just say No - though they are likely to hassle/scare/intimidate you about it to some degree.

You can stop vaxing at any time.

Thank you very much She doesn't go to daycare, so that is no worry right now. And school is a good 4+ years off, and I may even decide to homeschool, so I am happy to hear you can just say no as long as you aren't going to either!
They can hassle me as much as they like at the pedi, once my mind is made up, I am not changing it! (They have tried to bully me into starting solids and supplements after her 4 month appointment, and she hasn't had either :P)

[tanyalynn]

(They have tried to bully me into starting solids and supplements after her 4 month appointment, and she hasn't had either :P)

This is a red flag that a) they will harass you about this, and b) you may want to start shopping around for a new doc now. There are lots of family practitioners who are more low-key about parents making vax decisions for their families. The Finding Your Tribe sub-forum will likely have good local recommendations. You deserve a doc who understands that they work for you.

Also, this is a nice site to poke around on:

http://insidevaccines.com/wordpress/

[Tari Mithrandir]

Thanks for the link I will have to take a look there and see about a ped that may be co-operative!
If we decide for her 6 month visit that we aren't going to do vax, is there anything we need to know? I have seen mention of making parents sign a form and that you shouldn't, but I don't know anything about what the form is or why not to sign.
To be honest, I am really new to all of this and I feel a bit lost ^^;

[tanyalynn]

There's an ugly form from the AAP, it's meant to intimidate parents who aren't sure they don't want to vaccinate (they say that on the AAP website). The ugly line is about 2/3 of the way down the page and says something along the lines of "I am endangering my child and others" or something like that. I have a new doc (just recently moved) and I crossed that line out before signing--I could keep looking for someone who doesn't use that form, and maybe I should on principle, but we almost never go to the doctor, so it's just not important enough for me to keep looking. :

[Tari Mithrandir]

I see. That sounds like BS to me as I see the vax as more of a danger :\ I have made DH sign all the permission sheets to allow the vax, as I can't bring myself to do it. So if I cross that out I should be A-Okay?
My ped is supposedly Vax friendly, but I haven't actually talked to them about it, so I guess I am going to find out O_O

[spero]

I no longer agree to sign anything just to make them happy. A Refusal to Vaccinate form is not a legal document, and no one can force me to sign it. I've told them that I'll provide them with a short signed statement (written by ME) for the file or a copy of my kids' school exemptions, if they insist on having something on file.

[Tari Mithrandir]

So you just basically write that you are declining vax, thank you have a nice day?

[spero]

I'm still holding them off, actually. I'd rather not have anything in the file, but if push comes to shove they've indicated that they'll accept a copy of my kids' school exemption forms.

If I were to write something, it would be along these lines:

I am opposed to the practice of vaccination, for religious reasons. I am declining all vaccinations for myself and for my children.

Signed, ______________________ (spero)

[Tari Mithrandir]

Mmm, that looks good to me, though I couldn't say religious and actually be telling the truth, but I wouldn't be opposed to lying about it.

[Deborah]

you might enjoy this skit about the vaccine schedule:
http://insidevaccines.com/wordpress/...cine-schedule/

read the comments, too!

most of us have a devout belief in protecting our babies from harm...close enough to religion to go on with

[Tari Mithrandir]

Originally Posted by Deborah

you might enjoy this skit about the vaccine schedule:
http://insidevaccines.com/wordpress/...cine-schedule/

read the comments, too!

most of us have a devout belief in protecting our babies from harm...close enough to religion to go on with

I had actually seen that earlier today and had my DH read it as well Definitely making us think!