[nighten]

Every time we've gone to the ped, we've declined the vaccinations, and each time the nurse has (at the end of our visit, when we're dressing the baby, etc.) given me a form to sign with the list of shots the baby would have had and a note that we're declining.<br><br>
I never read the forms carefully. In my defense, I was anxious to get my child dressed and home, and assumed the forms said simply what the nurse told me they said.<br><br>
But the last time my eye caught something in one sentence but it didn't register until after we'd left the office. It was something about me knowingly putting my child's life in danger or something.<br><br>
And I've signed that EVERY TIME. I am really unhappy about it and wondering if I can ask the ped's office to give me the forms so I can destroy them. Or at the least, let me mark through that one line on each one I've signed.<br><br>
I won't be signing anymore, but it really bothers me that they didn't point out the "disclaimer" or anything. Yes, it's entirely my fault for not taking the five minutes to read through the whole thing carefully, but I'm pretty trusting I guess.<br><br>
Can they refuse if I ask them to give me the forms? Or if they do, can they refuse to let me mark through the line? I know in my heart I'm protecting my child right now by not letting them vaccinate her at this young age, but I'm really not happy about knowing my signature is on those papers.<br><br>
I'm clueless about the legality of it all though. I really wish I'd read it the first time -- could have saved me a lot of trouble. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/greensad.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="greensad"><br><br>
Thank you in advance!

 

[MsElle07]

You don't have to sign anything. The forms are just a CYA for the doctor in case you decided to sue him later. I don't vax, take my kids to all their well babies with an MD, and have never signed a form. (Never been asked to sign a form, even!)

 

[Crisstiana]

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<div>Originally Posted by <strong>nighten</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/7916646"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">And I've signed that EVERY TIME. I am really unhappy about it and wondering if I can ask the ped's office to give me the forms so I can destroy them. Or at the least, let me mark through that one line on each one I've signed.<br><br>
I won't be signing anymore, but it really bothers me that they didn't point out the "disclaimer" or anything. Yes, it's entirely my fault for not taking the five minutes to read through the whole thing carefully, but I'm pretty trusting I guess.<br><br>
Can they refuse if I ask them to give me the forms? Or if they do, can they refuse to let me mark through the line? I know in my heart I'm protecting my child right now by not letting them vaccinate her at this young age, but I'm really not happy about knowing my signature is on those papers.</div>
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Yes, they can refuse to give them to you or let you alter them. The only rights you have to them under TN law, I believe, is to get a copy or a summary of the records from your doctor.

 

[LongIsland]

From now on cross out that particlular section of the form and initial it. Take a copy of this with you in case they give you any problems: <a href="http://www.cispimmunize.org/pro/pdf/RefusaltoVaccinate_revised%204-11-06.pdf" target="_blank">http://www.cispimmunize.org/pro/pdf/...%204-11-06.pdf</a><br><br>
From the AAP: <i>This form may be duplicated <b><span style="text-decoration:underline;">or changed</span></b> to suit your needs and your patients' needs.</i><br><br>
[emphasis theirs]

 

[nighten]

<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>LongIsland</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/7919909"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">From now on cross out that particlular section of the form and initial it. Take a copy of this with you in case they give you any problems: <a href="http://www.cispimmunize.org/pro/pdf/RefusaltoVaccinate_revised%204-11-06.pdf" target="_blank">http://www.cispimmunize.org/pro/pdf/...%204-11-06.pdf</a><br><br>
From the AAP: <i>This form may be duplicated <b><span style="text-decoration:underline;">or changed</span></b> to suit your needs and your patients' needs.</i><br><br>
[emphasis theirs]</div>
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Thank you! That's the form I've been signing. I feel so stupid for not having crossed out that bit each time. I will definitely start from here on out. And I will print out the portion that says the form can be altered, and will use that to ask that they allow me to cross out that section in prior forms I've signed.<br><br>
Thank you again!

 

[Crisstiana]

<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>nighten</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/7920856"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">Thank you! That's the form I've been signing. I feel so stupid for not having crossed out that bit each time. I will definitely start from here on out. And I will print out the portion that says the form can be altered, and will use that to ask that they allow me to cross out that section in prior forms I've signed.<br><br>
Thank you again!</div>
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Just to clarify, because what I wrote was unclear: It shouldn't be a problem for you to cross out and initial the part you find objectionable. But you wouldn't be able to go back and alter forms you have already signed.<br><br>
Hopefully, you won't have any problems with your ped. And I wouldn't feel so stupid about it; I doubt many people read that form. Good for you for looking into it.