Health Dept and religious exemption trouble

mangosink0 · Apr 27, 2007

My neighbor went to the health dept here in TN to get the religious exemption form. Which I've been told before was just you ask for it and they give it to you and your on your way. Well they made my neighbor sit in the waiting room for 30 mins (ok, I know they are busy) and then 2 nurses took her into an exam room and made her read the VIS and went over EVERY SINGLE vax with her. I don't know I just kind of felt like that was harrassment. Neighbor said they were very pushy. 
So, I need to go get these same forms. I was thinking I'd take in some of my own forms (mainly the cdc pink book info that says insert disease here is almost always a minor illness.) If I have to read their propaganda, I think they should have to read mine. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/winky.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Wink">

* guest * · Apr 27, 2007

When I went in and got it, the secretary gave me a weird look but she gave it to me. That's horrible that they would subject a person to that. I would have told them that you just wanted the form and that was all.

Emmeline II · Apr 27, 2007

Maybe someone has the thread with the Florida health department on it, but someone here had similar trouble wrote someone a complaint letter and got a response. You are not required to attend a "briefing" on vaccinations to get an exemption letter. I would make sure you write down the title and first and last name (ask them to spell it too<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/winky.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Wink">) for everyone you have to speak to to get your exemption.

Spy · Apr 27, 2007

Does the actual form say something to the effect of 'I have been fully informed about risks and benefits..."?

LoveOhm · Apr 27, 2007

That is sad!

box_of_rain · Apr 27, 2007

It's disgusting and disturbing that they would do that. No surprise, though. I had a little trouble getting my exemption form - no one at the Health Dept. seemed to know what it was I was asking for. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/irked.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="irked">: 
Does your neighbor have photocopies of the form? Maybe you could just snag a copy from him/her.

LongIsland · Apr 27, 2007

I'm not sure about TN, but I know some states are required to hand out "educational material" to those who request exemptions, which is a far cry from being subjected to a what amounts to a lesson. 
I would tell your friend to submit a complaint to the head of the immunization division - she can do it via the DOH health dept. if she wants. Make sure she tells them exactly which office she visited.

LongIsland · Apr 27, 2007

(see my red bold below) Now keep in mind that "given the opportunity to read" doesn't mean the parent must read them. They just need to acknoweldge they were given the opportunity to read them -- they are not required to sit there and read it or have it read to them. The form also asks the parent to acknowledge they have had the opportunity to speak with their doctor, but that doesn't mean they have to do this, nor do they have to prove they spoke with their doctor. 
I would tell your friend to make a formal complaint: Commissioner Susan R. Cooper, MSN, RN (Tel 615-741-3111) Tennessee Department of Health 
Communicable and Environmental Disease Section 
Vaccination(s) Refusal Due To Personal Religious Beliefs 
Child's Name______________________________Parent/Guardian_________________ 
Address___________________________________________ ____State______Zip___________ 
Phone(____)_______________ 
I have been advised my child or ward (named above) should receive the following vaccines but I am declining to have my child immunized. 
Declined(Check all that apply) 
__Hepatitis B Vaccine 
__Measles, Mumps, Rubella Vaccine(MMR) 
__Diphtheria, Tetanus, acellular Pertussis Vaccine(DTaP) 
__Varicella(chickenpox) Vaccine 
__Diphtheria, Tetanus Vaccine (DT or Td) 
__Influenza (flu)Vaccine 
__Haemophilus Influenzae type B Vaccine (Hib) 
__Meningococcal Vaccine 
__Pneumococcal conjugate Vaccine 
__Hepatitis A Vaccine 
__Polio Vaccine (IPV) 
__Other__________________________ I have been given the opportunity to read the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Vaccine information Sheet(s) (VIS) explaining the above vaccine(s) and the disease(s) they may prevent. I have had the opportunity to discuss these with my child's health care provider or the health department and to have my questions, if any, answered. By signing below, I acknowledge and I understand the following: 
The purpose and the need for the recommended vaccine(s) 
The risks and benefits of the recommended vaccine(s) 
If my child does not receive the vaccine(s), I accept the consequences of my decision, which may include: 
My child contracting the illness the vaccine should prevent. 
My child transmitting the disease to others. 
The need for my child to stay out of daycare or school during disease outbreaks. 
I have decided to decline (indicated above) the vaccination(s) recommended for my child (indicated above) because the vaccination(s) conflict with my personal religious beliefs. Further, I affirm the truth of this statement under the penalty of perjury. 
I acknowledge I have read this document in its entirety and fully understand it. 
______________________________________ 
Parent or Gaurdian Date 
_______________________________________ 
Witness Date 
Notary Public____________________________ 
Date Commission Expires__________________

giggleball · Apr 27, 2007

A technical question.... 
We plan on filing religious exemption when it comes time for school (one more year until the oldest enters). Do we need to also file with the Health Dept? Is that required? (We are in NC)

LongIsland · Apr 27, 2007

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<div>Originally Posted by giggleball <a href="/community/forum/post/7966954"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">Do we need to also file with the Health Dept? Is that required? (We are in NC)</div>
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Not at all - see red text below. This is an appropriate letter you could submit: Re: Your child's name and date of birth 
My child, [full name] will be entering [name of school] as a [preschooler or whatever grade] this Fall and I am submitting this letter in order to satisfy state immunization requirements. 
In accordance with North Carolina General Statute §130A-157, the practice of immunization is contrary to my bona fide religious beliefs. From the NC DOH: <a href="http://www.immunizenc.org/Exemptions.htm" target="_blank">http://www.immunizenc.org/Exemptions.htm</a> There is no form for requesting religious exemptions in North Carolina. To claim a religious exemption, the parent or person requesting the exemption must write a statement of their religious objection to immunization, including the name and date of birth of the person for whom the exemption is being requested. This statement would then be provided to schools, child care programs, camps, etc. in place of an immunization record. If a family is requesting a religious exemption for more than one child, a separate statement should be prepared for each child. Statements of religious objection to immunization do not need to be notarized or prepared by an attorney. They do not need to be submitted to the state for review or approval.

mangosink0 · Apr 28, 2007

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<div>Originally Posted by box_of_rain <a href="/community/forum/post/7966584"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">It's disgusting and disturbing that they would do that. No surprise, though. I had a little trouble getting my exemption form - no one at the Health Dept. seemed to know what it was I was asking for. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/irked.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="irked">: 
Does your neighbor have photocopies of the form? Maybe you could just snag a copy from him/her.</div>
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no copies. THey made her fill them out right there.

ZacharysMama · May 2, 2007

Not surprising. In Texas we can fax or mail in the request, and that is exactly what I did to avoid this type of intimidation.

infraread · May 3, 2007

Mangosink0, forewarned is forearmed. Now you know what to expect when it's your turn, right? So you have time to mentally prepare yourself for when they try to bully or intimidate you. And, they may not. But just in case, you'll be better prepared now that you have an idea of what to expect. One thing to think about though, is don't go in there and ask-- as if you're asking permission. You do not need their permission, you need their stamp of acknowledgement. Go in there nice but with the attitude that you expect them to give you what you need, because it is after all your right. 
We're in Ky, and last year I had to have the health dept. sign off on the religious exemption so ds could go to preschool. We waited a long time but ds made a new friend in the waiting room <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/lol.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="lol"> We got alot of speeches, but eventually I got my stamp and have used the exemption with no problems at both the preschool on base and the public school ds will attend next year. The peace of mind is worth the inconveniences of going to get the form IMO.

Health Dept and religious exemption trouble

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