Why should I be wary of refusal forms?

[urchin_grey]

I've seen a lot of people saying that they have refused to sign a vaccine refusal form? Why is this? I signed one at DS's last appointment and all it said was something like "I verify that I was offered such and such vaccines and I am refusing treatment at this time".

Is there a reason I should be wary of these? I was happy to sign mine, just to get them off my back.

[grniys]

If that was all it said, and in that wording, I'd sign it no problem.

The problem comes with other forms, saying you're aware of the risks of not vaccinating and such. In signing one of those, you're basically saying you're willingly putting your child's health at risk.

[spero]

Originally Posted by urchin_grey

all it said was something like "I verify that I was offered such and such vaccines and I am refusing treatment at this time".

I'd have an issue with "refusing treatment" - vaccines aren't treatment for anything.

If you have a school-age child and an exemption on file, IMO a copy of that document should be sufficient for a medical file. Otherwise, a SHORT statement refusing vaccines - in the parent's/parents' own words and signed by said parent/s - should suffice.

Our (former) pediatrician, however, did not agree.

[urchin_grey]

Ahhhh, I see. Yeah, it didn't say anything about putting my child at risk. It may have not have even used the word "treatment", may have just said vaccines, I can't remember. I guess I should have had them make me a copy; I'll do that next time he has a check-up (which I find totally unnecessary, but we have to go or they won't give us our referrals for therapy).

Oh, and DS is only 3.5 and we will homeschool anyway so I have never bothered with an exemption. Do you think it necessary for me to bring one to his next ped appointment? They're really not pushy about the vaccines though, they just recite to me everything he's "due" for (I guess for legal reasons) but they don't lecture me or anything like that. His ped is pretty laid back (she CD'd and BF both her boys AND she left them intact).

[spero]

Originally Posted by urchin_grey

Oh, and DS is only 3.5 and we will homeschool anyway so I have never bothered with an exemption. Do you think it necessary for me to bring one to his next ped appointment?

No. Exemptions are only for those situations in which your child is legally required to show proof of vaccination (school, daycare, etc.). Vaccination in and of itself is NOT required by law.

The refusal to vax form as "office policy" is a control issue for peds - at least, that's been my experience. They want you to do what they say, period - either vaccinate or sign their form. They leave little or no room for any other option. They want things their way. Despite the AAP's recommendation that peds not insist upon a RtV form, many do it anyway.

[urchin_grey]

Originally Posted by spero

No. Exemptions are only for those situations in which your child is legally required to show proof of vaccination (school, daycare, etc.). Vaccination in and of itself is NOT required by law.

The refusal to vax form as "office policy" is a control issue for peds - at least, that's been my experience. They want you to do what they say, period - either vaccinate or sign their form. They leave little or no room for any other option. They want things their way. Despite the AAP's recommendation that peds not insist upon a RtV form, many do it anyway.

Oh, okay, I see.

I don't even know why they asked me to sign one, she never did until his 2 year appointment. I think maybe they just whipped that one up specifically for us at the last second. I'm betting DS is her only patient that isnt' vaxed.

[mommyto3girls]

My ped has a lot of pts. that delay vax's or do not vax at all. They have a refusal form that basically says They offered vaccines and explained the cdc's recommended schedule and that the parents, based on their own research, have chosen not to vaccinate and will not hold the doctor responsible if the child contracts a "VPD" My ped's office said it was something his Mal-practice ins. required.