[Nosy]

Is it ok not to vax in British Columbia? What kind of exemption do we need? Is it a big hassle with medical professionals? We are thinking of moving there from the US & just wondering. Thanks!

 

[snangel]

Hey I am in the south part of BC. I have 3 NOT vaxed kids. The only thing I have encountered is when I sent my oldest to kindergarten I had to sign a form that said he was not vaxed, and did not wish the school to vax him (i made it very clear) and that if there was a outbreak of say meningitis I would keep him home. Thats all, my pead, and family dr are on board and have never questioned my desision, did I mention, I love Canada!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[momazon4]

I'm from Alberta but I'm thinking it is similar. When ds briefly went to daycare I had to sign a form saying I accepted responsibility for his contacting any diseases because the others were theoretically "immunized". Other than that, the health unit here sent me reminders for awhile. I finally phoned them and said I would NOT be vaxing and wanted off their mailing list. We live in a small town and it is funny but the health nurses aren't friendly to me. Oh, well!

 

[mammastar2]

As far as I know, there are no vaccination requirements in BC. There's no official exemption, but I suppose it makes sense to give the school a heads-up, so they don't get on your case about boosters and so on.

 

[Jenny_Jen]

I'm in Ontario & my Dr said you just have to fill out a form stating that your child is not vaxed & that's it. In Ontario DT, Polio & MMR are what is "required" for public school.

 

[Tapioca]

Vaccinations are not mandatory here. Nor do you have to sign any kind of vax exemption form, have a philosophical reason, or jump through the hoops that some US states require. Apparently the Canadian constitution protects our right not to vaccinate.<br><br>
My daughter is in daycare and I just have to write a note stating that she will not be vaccinated and sign it. You may get some pressure from the public health nurses if your child registers for public school but they don't have a legal leg to stand on, you just have to say no. I know lots and lots of non-vaxing mamas here! And I dare the health nurses to ring me...I'm ready! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/lol.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="lol">:

 

[Tapioca]

Oh, I do have to keep her home if there are any VPD outbreaks. But whatever. I can live with that, even though I think it's b.s.

 

[CarrieMF]

<a href="http://www.vran.org/legal/legal-index.htm" target="_blank">Link to Canadian Vax's</a><br><br>
In BC you don't need to do anything.<br><br>
I'm in Alberta, but our health care is Saskatchewan and Education is Saskatchewan.<br><br>
I got 1 call from PH in the fall and I told them we were not doing vax's. They said okay and that was the end of it.<br><br>
The school did not ask.<br><br>
My dr has never asked becuase they don't do the vax's here.<br><br>
For health forms for Brownies/Sparks the only thing I put down is absolutely no Tetanus. That is JIC they are hurt and they have to take them to the ER, especially when they're at camp.

 

[crysmomofthree]

I have 4 kids in bc, none of them vaccinated for anything. I have had kids attend public daycares, private daycares, summer camp, sports, public school, private school, and we have not had any problems at all. Like the previous posters said most drs no longer do the shots in their office anyway, they are done at public health, so you don't even run into any pressure even at well baby visits. The schools have never mentioned anything. And public health only calls about one of my kids (which I think is weird but I have a feeling they only have records for one) Even the pediatrician that my son needed to see didn't blink an eye when I told her he had not received any shots. I would say its a rather pleasant environment and most people are comfortable with the no vax stance<br><br>
Crystal<br><br><div style="margin:20px;margin-top:5px;">
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<div>Originally Posted by <strong>CarrieMF</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/7964616"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">For health forms for Brownies/Sparks the only thing I put down is absolutely no Tetanus. That is JIC they are hurt and they have to take them to the ER, especially when they're at camp.</div>
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Please make sure everyone does this, I now write specificly on the emergency consent forms that my child is not to receive any vaccines even in an emergency situation without my explicit consent<br><br>
my son fell on the ice rink on a field trip and they sent him to emergency (a bit of an overreaction) but my MIL met him there and the drs were about to give him a tetanus shot which she said no to (thank god)

 

[MamaWolfe]

<div style="margin:20px;margin-top:5px;">
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<div>Originally Posted by <strong>crysmomofthree</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/7965122"><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<br><br>
Please make sure everyone does this, I now write specificly on the emergency consent forms that my child is not to receive any vaccines even in an emergency situation without my explicit consent<br><br>
my son fell on the ice rink on a field trip and they sent him to emergency (a bit of an overreaction) but my MIL met him there and the drs were about to give him a tetanus shot which she said no to (thank god)</div>
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What a great idea, I hadn't even thought about that!