[annettemarie]

There are certain vaxes I am just never going to be comfortable with for religious reasons-- MMR and Chickenpox, for example-- but for others, my only objection was too much too soon. I'm comfortable with one at a time after age 2, but I was avoiding the issue because trying to explain selective vaccination seemed like such a huge PITA. There doesn't really seem to be any middle ground in the law-- you vax or you have an exemption.<br><br>
Anyone have tips for selective vax in PA?

 

[PrincessAnika]

from what i understand, its all in wording....we are "delaying" her vaccines (though she is caught up to date ATM, dh and i had to come to a compromise). when the ped @9mo wbv said the 12mo had to be after due to vaxes i simply said we're gonna hold off on doing those for a while. as far as exemptions...from what i know it is all or nothing - you are against the practice of vaccination. they make it so hard....my mom just told their dr they were delaying vaxes for my youngest sister.....at 7yo they are still delaying and have not done any <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/wink1.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="wink1">

 

[95191]

depends a lot on your need for an exemption and where it is going- you might get luck with a private school and no one will really check too much<br><br>
public can be different, some check some don't<br><br>
since the PA registry is in effect, some Dr. report, others do not, again, some districts check it, others don't<br><br>
a lot depends on your area of PA as well<br><br>
some areas are far more lax and others there is lots of talk of mandatory like NY<br><br>
as I have posted previously I would not be in anyway surprised to see PA go the way of NY, it's won't take much from the counties near me, there has been a major influx on people living here and working in NY<br><br>
I know a NYC teacher that lives in PA and is <i>in shock</i> how easy PA is and is not in any way thrilled about it (very pro-vax) and has a ton of teacher friends that feel like her, since Aventis Pasteur is in PA they given out tons of $$, the <i>"talk"</i> this past fall was very ANTI-VAX regarding the flu and all you need is one person who delays, gets caught and someone to have a hissy and local reps (who get BIG $$$ from AP) and there will be changes quickly. The major demography of three counties (two of witch are the largest growing in PA) are right near AP and the influx is very negative.<br><br>
More teacher moving to the area and working in the schools that are PRO-vax will push for changes like NY (they feel it <i>PROTECTS</i> them!!). There was a big push in this area for public schools to be the vax centers and they had no problems getting line and line for the shot.<br><br>
I don't see a legal and safe way to delay the way the current laws are written. all or nothing after you file

 

[harli]

So what the two of you are saying is that there is really no hope to selectively vax? It seems like both of the pp's have said to just 'delay' vax's forever or say you aren't doing them at all. But that isn't selectively vaccinating that sounds like out and out no vax'ing. There are a few vax's (very few) that Dh or I are uncomfortable NOT doing. Is there no hope for us? I was planning on just denying that my kids have gotten any vax's. Won't that work?<br><br>
And on a side note. I'm getting my teaching cert. I was student teaching during the H1N1 outbreak. There were a few teachers in my school who were preg. and very concerned about getting ill. Yet I didn't hear anyone badmouthing parents who don't vaccinate their kids. In fact many of the teachers were talking about how they don't trust all the vax's. Not all teachers out there are terrified of getting sick and most that I know (I grew up around teachers too, my Mom taught kindergarten) have a great immune system and aren't afraid of getting sick<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/winky.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Wink">

 

[tanyalynn]

Harli, if you do all your selective vaccinating before you file an exemption, and then your religious beliefs change, you should be fine (not sure how much each area questions your religious beliefs, or whether that varies within different parts of a state). But you are risking your exemption being denied if you are found to vaccinate after you've filed the exemption, so you'd want to be very careful to really understand your state's registry and how information is put in and how/when information is checked. I think schools can check that information--maybe I'm wrong, but I think they can. Do they? No idea. But it's a lot of years from kindergarten age to graduation from high school--so the cross-checking between exemptions filed and vaccinations in the registry could change, and also the number of required vaccines just keeps going up. No one's in a good position trying to foretell what's coming down the pike wrt vaccine policy and schooling.<br><br>
For people who need to use daycare before school starts, delaying obviously becomes a lot trickier. I don't know if anyone checks whether a student has had a religious exemption filed before they were school age (filed for daycare, for example).<br><br>
A few states have pick-and-choose philosophical exemptions, but not many. Most are all-or-nothing exemptions.

 

[harli]

Thanks Tanya,<br><br>
I didn't even know there was a state registry until this thread came up. But I looked up their website and yes the school nurses can check the registry.<br><br>
What I'm having trouble finding out now is if my doctor participates (the registry is voluntary for now). Any ideas on how to do this without asking the doc? My doc is very pro-vax but also a family friend so us not wanting to vax is a tricky problem. I'm sure if I come right out and ask him he will get all bent out of shape. I've asked his office staff and they have no idea.

 

[tanyalynn]

There's an opt out procedure in every state (I think) -- some states require you to opt-in, but most default you in -- but if you opt out, it may make your record un-searchable. Not really sure how it works, you'd need to check into the details, but that's another possibility (if the laws on opting out don't change-- s/d vaccinators are in a very vulnerable position, esp if they want to use an exemption and keep vaccinating).

 

[95191]

<div style="margin:20px;margin-top:5px;">
<div class="smallfont" style="margin-bottom:2px;">Quote:</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="6" cellspacing="0" width="99%"><tr><td class="alt2" style="border:1px inset;">There's an opt out procedure in every state (I think)</td>
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NOT in PA, once you are in-you are in ( I called the health dept and also you can check there site, nothing lets you opt-out here in PA!!), but getting in is by Dr. or school (daycare), so if you don't do school and your Dr. doesn't put you in-no one knows<br><br>
In PA, (see current daycare thread in general vac section) daycares (real, not private, none-registered ones) must also submit their vac info, so it starts early, and if you later file it could very easy that it could cross, schools in PA are required to file the information-no opt out for them<br><br>
you could switch Dr. and one would file the info and one would not, if you do some looking there was a draft (attempt) to make it that all must report -Dr.s , the area where it gets <i>funny</i> is near boarder towns, like near NJ, some insurances (I know my does) lets us use PA or NJ Dr. not both, so if you would use a NJ Dr. they would not report to the PA Health Dept.

 

[mamajake]

I have never had either a doctor or a school district look up my kids on the PA vax registry. I have also never had a school district (two of my kids have been to private school and all three are currently home schooled) question my taking the "religious" exemption. I don't know of any case law interpreting this particular PA law so I interpret it to be my attesting to my belief at the time I file the exemption. What happens the day before or the day after I fill out the form is irrelevant.<br><br>
That said, I have never told a school district that my children ever received any vaccine. There is no need to disclose vaccine history to a SD in PA in the normal course of self-reporting.<br><br>
Hope that helps. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile">

 

[annettemarie]

Thanks so much for that, Jake!<br><br>
Can I access the registry anywhere online? I'm curious if my kids are in it.

 

[mamajake]

Good question, AnnetteMarie. I tried to find it on-line some years back when a bunch of Philly moms were getting scary letters from CPS about the registry showing their kids were behind in vaxing. I couldn't find it on-line but that would make sense since those records being publicly available would be a HIPAA violation. If you have a doctor you trust in a big way, you can have the doc check but I have never trusted one enough. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/wink1.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="wink1">

 

[95191]

the site info- <a href="http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/pa_statewide_immunization_information_system_%2528pa-siis%2529/14281" target="_blank">http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal...iis%2529/14281</a><br><br><div style="margin:20px;margin-top:5px;">
<div class="smallfont" style="margin-bottom:2px;">Quote:</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="6" cellspacing="0" width="99%"><tr><td class="alt2" style="border:1px inset;">I couldn't find it on-line but that would make sense since those records being publicly available would be a HIPAA violation.</td>
</tr></table></div>
--<i>depends who you are</i><br><br>
they don't just let anyone view it- (besides a login-they want to know who is looking)<br><b>Provide PA-SIIS users with the ability to query the registry for patient and immunization information<br>
Provide PA-SIIS users with the ability to update the demographic and immunization information in the registry<br>
Provide PA-SIIS users with the ability to generate official immunization records for their patients<br>
Provide a means for PA-SIIS users to monitor immunization coverage levels and vaccine inventory<br></b><br><br><br><a href="http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/pa_statewide_immunization_information_system_%28pa-siis%29/14281/faqs/556461" target="_blank">http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal...81/faqs/556461</a><br><br><b>What information can providers obtain from the registry?<br><br>
An official immunization record for each patient<br>
List of patients coming due or past due for immunizations<br>
Information for HEDIS reporting<br>
Various clinical information reports such as monthly shot administration counts and immunization coverage level reports<br>
Immunization recommendation at time of vaccination</b><br><br><br><br>
they do let you view their 5min info!!! YIPPIE

 

[annettemarie]

My doctor does NOT participate (Yay for her!) and we talked and she was really respectful. She said she understands that I am trying to balance my moral beliefs with doing what I feel is best for my children, and that whatever I want to do is fine with her, just let her know. I know this rarely gets said on MDC, but I <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/heartbeat.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="heartbeat"> my doctor!

 

[moxygirl]

Sigh... I'm probably screwed then. Last pedi visit we had to sign a waver for not vaxing DS. DH signed it and wrote as the reason "we're waiting" or somesuch. This time I signed it and wrote "we'll be administering some vaccines when he's older" or something to that effect. Honestly, I wasn't really worried about it. I consider it a right as a parent to choose which vaccines I will allow to be administered to my child. If the crap really hits the fan and my DH and I agree to continue not vaxing DS with the vaccines we're uncomfortable with, I suppose we'll move.

 

[95191]

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<div class="smallfont" style="margin-bottom:2px;">Quote:</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="6" cellspacing="0" width="99%"><tr><td class="alt2" style="border:1px inset;">I suppose we'll move.</td>
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the surrounding states seem much harder than PA

 

[moxygirl]

My husband's job isn't bound to a certain location so if needed, we'll move to wherever I can responsibly parent my child without being forced to give him needless vaccinations that I am morally and medically opposed to.

 

[newmum35]

<div style="margin:20px;margin-top:5px;">
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<table border="0" cellpadding="6" cellspacing="0" width="99%"><tr><td class="alt2" style="border:1px inset;">
<div>Originally Posted by <strong>serenbat</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/15473836"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">the surrounding states seem much harder than PA</div>
</td>
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Really? Im on the western side and I thought OH had philosophical. Heard it was easy there. So if it hits the fan for me, I could move there and not be TOO far away from family if I wanted... or any of the other 19 states with philosophical although they'd be father away from my state.<br><br>
Does the "no vaxing after religious exemption" also refer to ANY exemption you have on file ANYWHERE or only once they start Kindergarten? He might be starting preschool this year and we would need to have one on file at that time.<br><br>
So does that mean from that point on I'm screwed if I wish to get any others? Was leaning towards no more anyway really but would like to keep options open. I was considering a booster for the series he had, at age 4, and possibly one other either at a much later age, or if dh had strong feelings for it at some point.. In addition, even if HE Had no others at all, which I'd be ok with, what if we decide to give the same series he had to kid #2, born after his exemption was in place?<br><br>
Annette I don't suppose your awesome doc is anywhere in SW part of PA is she? lol Im jealous. PM me if you're close!

 

[annettemarie]

I'm in Williamsport. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile">

 

[newmum35]

<div style="margin:20px;margin-top:5px;">
<div class="smallfont" style="margin-bottom:2px;">Quote:</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="6" cellspacing="0" width="99%"><tr><td class="alt2" style="border:1px inset;">
<div>Originally Posted by <strong>annettemarie</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/15474944"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">I'm in Williamsport. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile"></div>
</td>
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Darn I thought so <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile">

 

[MCatLvrMom2A&X]

You can claim the exemption up until you decide to start doing the selective vax if you need it for daycare or something like that. If you dont need it for daycare then you dont need to claim it until school age at that time I would imagine you would have already done the vax you want to do. The exemption would then be used for the vax you didnt get and dont want to/never intend to get like the MMR, Chickenpox.<br><br>
Anyone has the right to change their beliefs at any time.