Do you ask for religious exemption for delayed or selective vax?

[faithful2]

Hello all!

Do you ask for a religious exemption for school if you are doing a delayed or selective vzx schedule? We are not totally sure yet if we will do anymore vax. later in life. Our oldest (3ys) had 6mos worth and no further. Do you suggest turning in religious exemption form to school? What have others done?

Thanks!

[spero]

Religious exemption usually applies to the PRACTICE of vaccination (you must state opposition to ALL vaccines), so one typically can't selectively vaccinate and use the RE. (If you intend to stop vaccinating altogether, even though you've already started, that's another matter.)

If you wish to selectively vaccinate, you are better off using a personal/philosophical exemption if your state offers that option.

[Gitti]

Or you can use a religious exemption and if you do decide you will inject some vaccines into your child, you just don't notify the school about it.

We started out vaccinating (we were completely pro-vax BEFORE we researched!!!) and the school had the vaccine record. But we still filed a religious exemption since anyone can change their mind about their religion. We did!

[TefferTWH]

Can't you selectively vax based on your denomination's recommendations? For example: Vatican condemns vaccines using fetal tissues. It's basically MMR, and then certain Hep A, varicella, rabies, polio and smallpox vaccines. We planned on trying for an exemption from those only, since they are morally objectionable.

[alegna]

Originally Posted by TefferTWH

Can't you selectively vax based on your denomination's recommendations?

Short answer- no.

A few states have exemptions that let you pick and choose (TX is the only one I know off the top of my head) but the standard is that you have to object to the practice of vaccination.

And fwiw many Catholic Dioceses are refusing all religious exemptions for schools in their areas.

-Angela

[goodheartedmama]

Originally Posted by alegna

Short answer- no.

A few states have exemptions that let you pick and choose (TX is the only one I know off the top of my head) but the standard is that you have to object to the practice of vaccination.

And fwiw many Catholic Dioceses are refusing all religious exemptions for schools in their areas.

-Angela

Really? I would assume that they would be a bit more accepting, considering that some vaccines have a line of fetal tissue in them

[TefferTWH]

Agreed. Who do I contact, diocese or priest?

[alegna]

Originally Posted by goodheartedmama

Really? I would assume that they would be a bit more accepting, considering that some vaccines have a line of fetal tissue in them

I know... but everyone buys the propagnda. They have some company line about it being worth it... (doesn't follow what I learned in ethics in a Catholic University... but whatever)

Originally Posted by TefferTWH

Agreed. Who do I contact, diocese or priest?

I'd try someone at your diocese. Individual priests are likely to not know the official line I'd think.

-Angela

[spero]

Originally Posted by Gitti

Or you can use a religious exemption and if you do decide you will inject some vaccines into your child, you just don't notify the school about it.

In some states, like NY, there is no opt-out on the statewide vaccine registry, even if you are not vaxing it is noted there. If the school accesses the registry to check up on you, and discovers that you are selectively vaxing, they can deny your religious exemption.

Originally Posted by TefferTWH

Can't you selectively vax based on your denomination's recommendations?

In your state, you can, because you have philosophical exemption available.
But you can't use a religious exemption to do so.

Originally Posted by goodheartedmama

Really? I would assume that they would be a bit more accepting, considering that some vaccines have a line of fetal tissue in them

The Vatican considers it a "lesser of two evils" thing - they're actually pretty pro-vax. I'll dig up a thread or two for you.

Originally Posted by TefferTWH

Agreed. Who do I contact, diocese or priest?

I'd start with the school, first. Some here have had success in obtaining exemptions with Catholic schools; others, not. If you're not satisfied with the school's response, you can take it to the Diocesan level.

[spero]

Good info thread

[spero]

2005 Pontifical Academy for Life Declaration:

MORAL REFLECTIONS ON VACCINES PREPARED FROM CELLS DERIVED FROM ABORTED HUMAN FOETUSES

The severity of congenital rubella and the handicaps which it causes justify systematic vaccination against such a sickness.

From the point of view of prevention of viral diseases such as German measles, mumps, measles, chicken pox and hepatitis A, it is clear that the making of effective vaccines against diseases such as these, as well as their use in the fight against these infections, up to the point of eradication, by means of an obligatory vaccination of all the population at risk, undoubtedly represents a "milestone" in the secular fight of man against infective and contagious diseases.

and, regarding the use of vaccines specifically cultured on aborted fetal tissue:

Moreover, we find, in such a case, a proportional reason, in order to accept the use of these vaccines in the presence of the danger of favouring the spread of the pathological agent, due to the lack of vaccination of children. This is particularly true in the case of vaccination against German measles

[TefferTWH]

spero - thanks for the links and the stuff about Benedict being pro-Vax. I found this about MI specifically:

Aren't vaccines required for children to go to school and attend day care?
In Michigan, the law states (MCLA § 333.9215, entitled "exemptions"): A child is exempt from this part if a parent, guardian or person in loco parentis of a child presents a written statement to the administrator of the child's school or operator of the group program to the effect that the requirements of this part cannot be met because of religious convictions or other objections to immunizations.

As long as the law remains intact, your child may attend school in Michigan with all, some, or no vaccinations.

WHEW!!!!

[spero]

Actually, the law says "immunization" (as a practice?), not "immunizations" (as individual vaxes?).

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

MCL § 333.9215 (2007)

§ 333.9215. Exemption of child; immunization detrimental to health or not appropriate, physician certificate; religious convictions or other objections, parent's written statement.

Sec. 9215.

(1) A child is exempt from the requirements of this part as to a specific immunization for any period of time as to which a physician certifies that a specific immunization is or may be detrimental to the child's health or is not appropriate. (This is medical exemption.)

(2) A child is exempt from this part if a parent, guardian, or person in loco parentis of the child presents a written statement to the administrator of the child's school or operator of the group program to the effect that the requirements of this part cannot be met because of religious convictions or other objection to immunization.

I'd make certain, before assuming anything. That "s" could mean a huge difference, or it could mean nothing.