AP IMPACT: Parents use religion to avoid vaccinating children
http://www.wtol.com/global/story.asp?s=7229495&Client
Associated Press - October 17, 2007 9:05 PM ET
BOSTON (AP) - A small but growing number of parents around the country are claiming religious exemptions to avoid vaccinating their children when the real reason may be skepticism of the shots or concern they can cause other illnesses.
That's according to an Associated Press examination of vaccination records from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Twenty-eight states allow parents to opt out for medical or religious reasons only. Twenty other states, including Ohio, also allow parents to cite personal or philosophical reasons.
Ohio's Health Department says 1,211 newly enrolled kindergarten students claimed religious or philosophical objections for the 2006-2007 academic year - up from 335 in 1997-1998.
Doctor Paul Offit, of Children's Hospital in Philadelphia, says resistance to vaccines is "an irrational, fear-based decision."
if you ever get pushed about declaring your preference, try one of these;
Say nothing of my religion. It is known to God and myself alone. Its evidence before the world is to be sought in my life: if it has been honest and dutiful to society the religion which has regulated it cannot be a bad one.
Thomas Jefferson
3rd president of US (1743 - 1826)
When I do good, I feel good; when I do bad, I feel bad, and that is my religion. Abraham Lincoln, (attributed)
16th president of US (1809 - 1865)
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071018/ap_on_re_us/vaccine_skeptics;_ylt=ArnP9d
AH24IvJVWVZvHq_hms0NUE
Parents use religion to avoid vaccines
By STEVE LeBLANC, Associated Press Writer Thu Oct 18, 4:21 AM ET
All states have some requirement that youngsters be immunized against such childhood diseases as measles, mumps, chickenpox, diphtheria and whooping cough. Twenty-eight states, including Florida, Massachusetts and New York, allow parents to opt out for medical or religious reasons only. Twenty other states, among them California, Pennsylvania, Texas and Ohio, also allow parents to cite personal or philosophical reasons. Mississippi and West
Virginia allow exemptions for medical reasons only.
From 2003 to 2007, religious exemptions for kindergartners increased, in some cases doubled or tripled, in 20 of the 28 states that allow only medical or religious exemptions, the AP found. Religious exemptions decreased in three of these states — Nebraska, Wyoming, South Carolina — and were unchanged in five others.
The rate of exemption requests is also increasing.
For example, in Massachusetts, the rate of those seeking exemptions has more than doubled in the past decade — from 0.24 percent, or 210, in 1996 to 0.60 percent, or 474, in 2006. In Florida, 1,249 children claimed religious exemptions in 2006, almost double the 661 who did so just four years earlier. That was an increase of 0.3 to 0.6 percent of the student population. Georgia, New Hampshire and Alabama saw their rates double in the past four years.
The numbers from the various states cannot be added up with accuracy. Some states used a sampling of students to gauge levels of vaccinations. Others surveyed all or nearly all students. Fifteen of the 20 states that allow both religious and philosophical exemptions have seen increases in both, according to the AP's findings.
Religious and medical exemptions, which had been climbing, plummeted, while the number of philosophical exemptions spiked.
In the first year alone, more parents applied for philosophical exemptions than religious and medical exemptions combined. From 2001 to 2004, the total number of students seeking exemptions in Arkansas more than doubled, from 529 to 1,145.
Play-it-safe parents just saying no to shots
By MARK SOMMER
News Staff Reporter
http://www.buffalonews.com/editorial/20021031/1009883.asp
Most parents have been there - holding the screaming baby down while the nurse inserts the needle. Then there's a period of waiting and watching the child for fever, or worse. It's vaccination time, and most people believe the hassle is worth it to prevent a horrible disease. Of course, you don't hear much anymore about the illnesses that vaccinations were developed to prevent: polio, mumps, tetanus, German measles. Thanks to mandated vaccinations, these diseases, which ravaged children a couple of generations ago, have been mostly eradicated in the United States. But some parents are not convinced vaccines are safe, and they're finding ways - using religious or medical exemptions granted by the state - to avoid immunizing their children.
The reasons vary, from concerns that the vaccines made from antigens produced by disease-causing microorganisms can overwhelm a healthy child's developing immune system, to a belief in holistic, natural cures, to a general distrust of modern medicine. Dr. Steven Lana, president of the staff at Children's Hospital, says the fears are not supported in the medical literature. "The immune system is challenged on a daily basis by thousands of exposures to antigens just by the daily course of living," said Lana. "Introducing three, four, five strains of antigens through vaccines is really a drop in the bucket.
"The data that has been provided is enough to make me feel comfortable that vaccines are safe," said Lana.The outcry against vaccines, however, has gotten so loud that the scientific community has stepped in to take a look. The National Medical Institute - an arm of the National Academy of Sciences - is in the middle of a three-year study to examine vaccine safety concerns. So far, the research supports the safety of vaccines. But many people are now doing their own research. Matt Hezel and Dawn Collier-Hezel of Buffalo, who have four children, are opposed to vaccinating their children. Even as the flu season approaches and medical experts are for the first time urging flu shots for all children ages 6 months to 2 years, the Hezels will not let a needle near their children. Not for the flu, not for a vaccination of any kind.
"I am willing to stay with my children when they're sick and take care of them with alternative medicine as well as with the help of Western medicine when needed," said Collier-Hezel. "That way, I don't need to vaccinate my children and worry about the risk factors because of the vaccines themselves." They've read government reports saying the risks are minimal, but still fear vaccines can be a trigger for children genetically susceptible to developmental problems and autoimmune illnesses. Collier-Hezel's concerns also come from personal experience. She has multiple sclerosis, and, from research she has read, believes the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine, known as MMR, may have contributed to it. She and her husband have received a religious exemption to sidestep New York State's Public Health Law mandating vaccinations.
Buffalo couple Patrick and Julie O'Neill will not immunize their 2-year-old son and new baby, due soon. They, like the Hezels, believe in a more holistic approach, in which as little as possible should be done to compromise the body's natural healing abilities. "After looking at as much information as possible, we didn't find overwhelming evidence on either side, and the least invasive approach was more consistent with our philosophy," said Julie O'Neill, an urban planner and attorney. 1% of parents opt out.
The number of vaccines - and total doses - children are asked to take has increased significantly in the past two decades. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends vaccinations against 12 diseases, administered through 22 injections, during a child's first two years. Shots are required in New York State as soon as a child begins day care, starting at 2 months. School requirements begin from prekindergarten through high school. Nationally, the CDC reports that 1 percent of parents opt out of child vaccinations because of personal objections. The county doesn't compile statistics on why children are not vaccinated, according to Sandra Diagostino, an immunization specialist for the Erie County Department of Health, but she doubts a large percentage are due to philosophical differences. Buffalo couple Daryl George and Dawn Lewandowski are considering joining the ranks. They have a 1-year-old daughter and have not begun immunizations for her. The couple has read books, done research, even scoured the fine print of vaccine package inserts - and still anguish over what to do. "We don't feel a baby under a year that still has a developing immune system and is being breast-fed is ready to be overloaded with foreign antigens," said George, an engineer. "We're led to believe the antigens are benign, but I don't think we fully understand their effect on an immune system." George fears rare side effects, and even a somewhat common one, in which some babies cry inconsolably for hours after getting immunized. "We don't understand what a baby is going through at that point. Is it a
case of "it looks worse than it is'? I think it might be that it's worse than it looks."
Dr. Richard Judelsohn, medical director of the Erie County Department of Health, and a pediatrician, says it's a matter of perception. "If you have very safe vaccines with very low incidents of side effects, and the diseases are a rarity, the side effects look worse than the disease," he said. Judelsohn, who lectures nationally on vaccine-related issues, sees ever-improving advances into vaccines, noting the contents are purer than ever. He expects to see new combinations of vaccines that will reduce the number of times a baby's arm must be pricked. And he says ongoing studies continue to address, and ultimately dismiss theories that vaccines trigger harmful, long-lasting effects. The results so far support the prevailing view that vaccinations are safe and that there is no evidence of a tie found by a British researcher in 1997 between the MMR vaccine and autism. Critics find encouragement
The National Medical Institute has suggested additional studies into vaccine safety, and that has given critics like Barbara Loe Fisher encouragement. Fisher is president and co-founder of the Vienna, Va.-based National Vaccine Information Center, a consumer watchdog organization that claims 40,000 supporters. A former medical writer who grew up in a family of health professionals, Fisher says her 21/2-year-old son Chris' reaction to a dose of diphtheria, pertussis and tetanus vaccine more than 20 years ago shook her faith in vaccines and began her crusade for further research and a reform of mandatory vaccine programs. Fisher's organization successfully lobbied for the DPT vaccine to be removed, and it was eventually replaced by a different vaccine, DTaP. She says she hopes the National Medical Institute report will spur additional research into vaccines. To Curtis Allen, a CDC spokesman, vaccines are a victim of their own success. "Because parents no longer see these diseases, they don't think of them as serious. But they are still circulating; even polio is in other parts of the world. If vaccine levels were to drop below certain levels, these diseases could return," Allen said.
From: Newsletter - Koren Publications, Inc.
To: Recipient list suppressed
Sent: Thursday, November 28, 2002 3:03 AM
Subject: Special Announcement - Good News
Dear Colleague, Here is a special Thanksgiving announcement I'm very happy to make. A few months ago I (Tedd Koren) was contacted by the president of the Arkansas Chiropractic Association. He was very upset. A federal judge had just declared the Arkansas immunization exemption laws unconstitutional!
Arkansas law does not permit philosophical exemptions so by losing religious exemptions it was "roll up your sleeves" time for chiropractic kids and others who didn't want to get shot up with 77 vaccines by age 5. I called Jim Turner, Esq. to discuss this being a battle the new Foundation for Health Choice could take on for health care freedom.
Jim agreed - we are in our first battle. Although we are very new with supporters just beginning to help, we've fired the first shot in the battle to reclaim our health care freedom, and this first shot is no pop-gun, it's a FEDERAL CASE.
Now here's the GREAT NEWS! The Foundation for Health Choice has filed an amicus brief in 8th circuit Federal Court of Appeals challenging the Constitutionality of mandatory vaccinations. This is an historic document that has the potential to declare all state laws that mandate vaccinations unconstitutional. This brief is an opening move in an entire campaign for fight for health care freedom. Please let us know of any legal battles you know of so we may continue this work in the legal arena. We are fighting for freedom in the US (and Canada and Europe).
Here is the actual press release that is going out to all the wire services. If you'd like a full copy of the entire historic brief see the bottom of this post:
FEDERAL COURT CHALLENGE TO MANDATORY IMMUNIZATION RAISES ISSUE OF CONSITUTIONALITY
Petitioners cite risk to life without due process LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -
The constitutionality of mandatory vaccines, based on the expectation they will kill a certain number of children and substantially harm others, is now being challenged in federal court. "The lives that are lost by this program are lost without even a pretense of due process," states the "friend of the court" brief filed in conjunction with an Arkansas case being heard by the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals in St. Louis. The brief, submitted jointly by the Washington, D. C.-based non-profit consumer groups Foundation for Health Choice and Citizens for Health, also cites a recent federal court ruling against the death penalty.
In that decision last April, a judge for the Southern District of New York found the federal capital punishment law unconstitutional based on findings that some of the people facing execution were actually innocent of the crimes for which they had been sentenced. That same case logic should now be applied to the current situation that is bound to result in the deaths of innocent children, according to the brief.
The vaccine case, as originally heard in two federal district courts, involves some 125 children whose exemptions from inoculations on religious grounds were at issue, with a lower court judge ruling that the exemption was too restrictive.
Through their intervention, the two health organizations have sought to broaden the significance of the case to that of a life-and-death issue - the first time such an argument against immunization has been raised in the courts, according to James S. Turner, the Washington, D.C. attorney who submitted the brief.
Mandatory immunizations are a routine requirement for attending school, but without any procedures in place for parental participation in determining the need for such shots or the adverse effects they might have on certain children..
The brief contends that "the body of law justifying mandatory vaccine programs contains limitations on the state power to force vaccination." It refers to the need for a demonstrable emergency (e.g., a threatened or actual epidemic); requires a medical opt-out for vaccine-endangered individuals, and recognizes conscientious objecting.
The petitioners also call for "interested families" to be involved in a procedure for determining who is likely to be harmed by each vaccine, and "a way of prioritizing which of the nearly 20 vaccines currently administered to each child and at what age . will most protect the community at the least health cost."
Is This Freedom?
a.. Parents cannot decide what's best for their children. By the time most children are 5 they are must be injected with 77 vaccines; over 200 new vaccines are in production, and many will become mandatory. Your children may not enter public school/many private schools and colleges unless they are vaccinated while MDs, school and health care workers don't inform people of their legal exemption rights.
b.. Laws are being proposed making vaccines mandatory for adults; if your "vaccine papers" are not up-to-date won't be able to travel by plane, rent a hotel/motel room or a car according to proposed new legislation.
c.. Bureaucrats can take your children from you if you don't vaccinate them; if your newborn doesn't have synthetic Vitamin K injections or nitrous oxide in their eyes.
d.. Autism spectrum disorder, allergies, asthma, attention deficit disorder, hyperactivity, dyslexia, vision and hearing deficits, pervasive developmental disorder, cancer, arthritis, diabetes and many other conditions that were rare are increasingly being linked to mandatory childhood vaccinations.
e.. Doctors who use safer alternatives may be fined, lose hospital privileges, arrested, and lose their license to practice.
f.. Medicine is at least the 3rd and quite possibly the leading cause of death in the US. Medical care may bankrupt this country by 2040. Hundreds of thousands of people die each year from Adverse Drug Reactions of properly prescribed FDA approved drugs, medical mistakes, malpractice and hospital infections while AT THE SAME TIME.
g.. Alternative health care providers' freedom to practice and teach is restricted; many Americans are forced to travel to foreign lands at great expense and risk to avail themselves of less toxic health care that is illegal in the US; Organized medicine, the pharmaceutical companies and government agencies not only refuse to change this state of affairs, they support it.
Had enough? Want to go on the offensive? We're the Foundation for Health Choice. We're organized medicine and the pharmaceutical industry's worst nightmare!
We'll fight for your children's freedoms! For your professional freedom! For your personal freedom!
Please go to www.foundationforhealthchoice.com for information on donating. All donors at supporter level ($40/month or $480/year) and higher will receive a copy of this historic amicus brief.
Please write to me at tkoren1@aol.com to request it and we'll upload it to you.
We're serious in our fight for freedom. Are you? Do you really want freedom? You've got to fight for it. Want to donate your time and energies? Please write to me at the above address. We need you to donate funds, at any amount, to keep this battle alive. Would you like to see your children living in a freer world? We'll do the fighting, we need the ammunition from you. Will you help? Call me at 215-699-7906 for information.
My children are homeschooled, but we since we live in Illinois, my oldest attends public school band. I filed my original exemption 2 years ago and stated that vax were against my "sincerely and consciously held religious beliefs" ......... well, we got a new superintendent (which is good, cuz the other one couldn't even tell you where all of our buildings are) and apparently he looked deeper into the law and wanted a more specific statement of personal religious belief. So, I rewrote the exemption and 2 weeks later, I got my letter back from him. Here in IL it's up to the individual district to determine what is and is not a valid religious exemption. I agree with Sheri on this ... they are looking at a lot of constitutional legality... but I am just glad that they accepted it, because I would have had to have caved... . I don't have the $$$$ for an attorney!! AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH At least I know that this is taken care of and I will just have to change the names when Chase starts band next year, and when Jason returns to public school full time in 2 years (his choice, I suspect he'll be home after the first semester).
I worded it just like the link you sent me said ... made up my own personal belief, and got a response from the superintendent today.
We have recently received your correspondence of November 7, 2002, in which you set forth your religious objection to teh State immunization requirements. The District has determined that htis constitutes a valid religious objection per the requirements of Section 665.51 of Title 77 of the Illinois Administrative Code. As a result, your child will be excused from the State immunization requirements........
LOLOL.... of course then it goes on to tell me that if there is a measles outbreak that he'll have to be out of school 21 days AFTER the onset of the last reported case..... ok, whatever, he only attends band anyway!!!
Thanks so much for all of your help!
Tracy (oh, the typos are mine, and not in the letter LOL)
http://www.vaccineawareness.org/IllinoisIssues/AllowableVaccineExemptions.htm
more details on the exemption
I'm not sure I agree with the letter
http://www.vaccineawareness.org/IllinoisIssues/Letter_IDPH_Response_Religiou
sExemption10_95.htm
But that is what they say and see the letter to the schools
I have been able to find out some things through other sources. I would like to share that with you all now. In Virginia, vaccine records are not required to be obtained in order to do an adoption home study, at least not for private child placing agencies. Here is a quote from the Virginia Code The Minimum Standards for Private Child Placing Agencies: 22VAC40-130-400
"2. A report of a recent medical examination of all members of the household shall be obtained. It shall report on both mental and physical health and be signed by the physician. If difficulties are noted, specialists in the appropriate field shall be consulted. "
Vaccine information on children currently living in the home is not required by the INS. The INS simply needs to see a statement in the home study that says: "The children have beeen seen by a physician and are healthy and free of communicable diseases."
Most agencies, however, do routinely ask for vaccine records and include information about them in the home study.
I am still investigating as to whether social workers are permitted to put that info in the home study if the parents object to it being there. Especially since the people they feel obligated to inform don't even ask for the info. If anyone out there knows anything about privacy of medical records and could help me out on this one it would be greatly appreciated.
I also strongly suggest that anyone who doesn't vax in VA inquire, before starting the home study, how that agency will handle that issue. I know of two vaccine choice friendly adoption agencies in Virginia. Contact me directly for that info. opt2adopt2002@yahoo.com
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/tribune-review/pittsburgh/s_109602.html
Duquesne grants exemption from vaccine
By Bill Zlatos
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Wednesday, December 25, 2002
Lina Bird's conscience will not cost her a $21,000-a-year scholarship at Duquesne University after all.
Bird, an 18-year-old freshman from Mason Town, W.Va., has been searching for a new school after Duquesne had told her she could not register for the spring semester because she refused to get a shot for measles, mumps and rubella. Bird has refused the vaccine because, she said, some of the vaccine comes from the stem cells of aborted fetuses.
On Tuesday, however, Duquesne lawyer Linda Drago called the family to announce that it will let Bird return. As a result, Bird can keep her Chancellor's Scholarship, which provides free tuition.
"I'm very relieved that it was settled this way," Bird told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. "Your call probably did a lot. It did take them from August until now to figure out a good compromise."
A biology major, Bird said the measles and mumps viruses for the vaccine are grown on chick embryos, and the rubella part of the vaccine is isolated from aborted fetuses.
"The way they're grown is not entirely pleasant," said the vegetarian. "All three (measles, mumps and rubella viruses) have animal tissues involved, so that violates my philosophy of not doing violence to animals."
Her mother, Virginija, said: "Morally, ethically, and religiously, as a Catholic, I feel this is wrong. I used to get vaccinated, but not since I found this out."
Although opposed to abortion, the Roman Catholic Church is neutral on whether it is moral to get vaccinations from aborted fetuses, said the Rev. Ronald Lengwin, spokesman for the Pittsburgh Catholic Diocese.
"Theologians are studying the issue," he said.
The denomination also upholds an individual's right to follow his or her conscience as long as it is within the church's teachings.
"But," Lengwin said, "it doesn't mean you have to admit that person to school if you think there's a safety issue at stake."
He said he discussed Bird's case with Duquesne officials, but did not play a part in the school's decision to exempt her. He noted that Duquesne President Charles J. Dougherty has a doctorate in bioethics.
Until yesterday, Duquesne accommodated her vegetarian lifestyle and her disdain for animal research by exempting her from most animal dissections; however, the Catholic university would not budge on the shot.
"It's very ironic that had I gone to the University of Pittsburgh or West Viriginia University or any of the state secular schools, this would not have come up," Bird said. "But here at a religious Catholic institution, I'm having a problem."
Penn State University, for example, requires students to show proof of vaccination for measles, mumps and rubella, said Dr. Margaret Spear, director of university health services, adding that the university allows exemptions for any legitimate reason.
Spear said she could not recall any student requesting an exemption on anti-abortion grounds.
Duquesne's change of heart came less than 24 hours after it had taken a hard line on the issue during an interview with the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.
"The health and well-being of Duquesne University students, employees and their families are of paramount concern," Duquesne spokesman David M. Mastovich said Monday. "As a result, Duquesne University does not grant exemptions for personal reasons."
But yesterday, Duquesne changed its tune.
Mastovich confirmed that the university has adopted a new policy. He said students seeking an exemption of vaccinations must provide a written, notarized statement outlining their objections.
"There is a theoretical risk if you allow one student to do it," Mastovich admitted.
After analyzing what other universities do, he said Duquesne found that many schools allow exemptions on a case-by-case basis.
Bird's stance made her the darling of anti-abortion groups.
"To me, she's a little martyr out there standing for a cause," said Debi Vinnedge, executive director of Children of God for Life in Clearwater, Fla. - a group that seeks to end the use of aborted fetuses in vaccines.
Bill Zlatos can be reached at bzlatos@tribweb.com or (412) 320-7828.
COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA
CERTIFICATE OF RELIGIOUS EXEMPTION
Name ____________________________________ Birth Date _______________________
Student I.D. Number __________________________________
The administration of immunizing agents conflicts with the above named
student's/my religious tenets or practices. I understand, that in the occurrence of an
outbreak, potential epidemic or epidemic of a vaccine-preventable disease in my/my
child's school, the State Health Commissioner may order my/my child's exclusion
from school, for my/my child's own protection, until the danger has passed.
_______________________________________________ ___________________________
Signature of parent/guardian/student Date
I hereby affirm that this affidavit was signed in my presence on
This ____________________________________________ Day of _____________________
Notary Public Seal
Form CRE-1; Rev. 00/92
I started on this path much like you 8 years ago. You start with just an inkling of something being wrong about vaccines, and, over time, you learn the overwhelming truth about how dangerous they are. Your instincts are correct! Basically, right now, you don't need an exemption to refuse vaccines. Vaccines are only legally required for school attendance (and certain professions). Prepare yourself to fight, nonetheless, however, because most ped. doctors that I know of will refuse to treat a child when the parents won't vaccinate. You could try saying that you are just going to wait until he's older before you vaccinate (not telling the doctor that you're going to wait till he's 110). That might pacify him. More likely, you would need to find a sympathic doctor. You're fortunate, because I'm sure there will be many in your area. If no one on this list knows of one, you can check with PROVE, which is a Texas based group that fights to protect parents' rights to refuse vaccines. If you want to tell the doctor you have now that you object on religious grounds, no one can question that (although he still has the right to refuse to treat you). The Courts have already declared that an individual's personal objections to vaccination can not be gainsayed. You don't have to have a specific belief system to claim the religious exemption. I, for instance, say that I oppose vaccination because God gave us an immune system to protect us and that it is a sin to inject toxins into the body to try to prevent disease; it is an affront to God and shows a lack of faith in his provision. Also, the body is meant to be a temple, and must not be polluted with chemicals, etc. I hope you'll be lucky and your doctor will be one of the sympathetic ones; it could just happen!
I would encourage you to check out Alan Phillip's web site:
http://www.unc.edu/~aphillip/www/chf/index.htm
He shows examples of how to write a religious exemption letter; his examples are ones that worked for NC (which also does not have a philosophical exemption). They would probably work as well for VA, since I believe the laws are similiar. Your religious exemption does not need to be tied to a particular denomination, just based on your personal beliefs. I was originally going to suggest that you get in touch with Walene James (author of "Immunization: The Reality Behind the Myth"). When I first read a borrowed copy of her book many years ago, it had a number for a group in VA; when I called it, it turned out to be her home number! I got to talk to her and her husband for quite a while. Unfortunately, I own a newer copy of the book that doesn't have that info in it. Maybe you can do a web search and see if you can find her email. I'm sure she is an expert on the legalities of vaccination in VA after what her family went through. Have you tried getting in touch with any local support groups in VA? You can link to the VIA page (look for "state information") through NVIC's page(www.909shot.com); VIA usually has support group info for each state. The good thing is that NVIC is based in VA. I'm sure they could help direct you if you need it.
The following is Helen Tucker's valiant attempt at getting a religious exemption for West Virginia. This defeat should concern us all. It is important the we all get involved in government or those of us in the other states that have a religious exemption, may lose it.
Just thought you would all like to hear this good news. West Virginia is one of 2 states that does not currently permit a religious exemption to vaccination.
SB 136 passed the Senate in West Virginia reinstating the religious exemption to vaccination. It passed 37-0. We go into the House next week. The session ends on Friday.
As some of you know, we've been busy fighting for a bill that would allow religious exemptions here in WV. In the past 4 years, the bill has never gone past the first committee. This year, it not only passed the Senate committee, but passed the Senate floor UNANIMOUSLY (34-0). Then it passed the House committee, and tomorrow, it goes to the House floor for the final vote. (If you are the praying sort, please think of us!)
Opponents to exemptions are furious. They have the nurses association up in arms. They are passing out a 4 page handout to all the delegates.
The cover page says:
"Do you love your children and grandchildren?
Is YOUR child or grandchild worth the risk?
Compare the risks: Disease vs. Immunization
KILL SB 136 BEFORE IT KILLS OUR CHILDREN AND OUR FUTURE."
It proceeds to list arguments, point by point, of how unvaccinated children "endanger...the community at large." Mostly, they list unreferenced statistics on how many people diseases killed or injured, and how each disease disappeared after vaccinations. Here are some examples of the points in the handout:
* ...If vaccinations were stopped, each year 2.7 million deaths worldwide could be expected.
* Clearly, the critical issue is whether some parents should be allowed to place other people's children at increased risk for disease by refusing immunizations for their own children....
* Make no mistake: The consequences of ignoring safe and effective immunizations are real and can be lethal. The effort to undermine vaccines seeks to capitalize on a distorted perception of risk....vaccines represent infinitely far less risk than the diseases they prevent.
* As one mother said, "I don't want my child to be the one in 3 million who has a bad reaction to a vaccine. But I also don't want mine to be the one in 10 that dies if they get the disease. I'd rather take my chances with the one in 3 million than the one in 10."
Can you believe it? How do you respond to this kind of unbelievable stupidity?
Thanks for letting me vent.
Helen
http://www.herald-dispatch.com/2003/March/08/LNlist5.htm
Religious exemptions for child immunization fails
By REBECCAH CANTLEY-FALK - The Herald-Dispatch
CHARLESTON -- A bill that would have allowed parents with religious reasons to keep their children from being immunized met defeat in the House of Delegates Friday after an unexpected floor debate.
The bill (SB136) received wide approval in the Health and Human Resources Committee and was expected to pass. But several delegates who originally supported the bill said Friday's debate changed their minds. The bill failed 28-71 with one member absent or not voting.
"We have revisited the roots of democracy," Health and Human Resources Chairman Don Perdue, D-Wayne, said. "We have said that no one person can be the gatekeeper." The eight delegates from Cabell and Wayne counties were split evenly for and against the bill. Voting for it were Greg Howard, R-Cabell; Jody Smirl, R-Cabell; Kelli Sobonya, R-Cabell and Perdue. Voting against it were Margarette Leach, D-Cabell; Jim Morgan, D-Cabell; Kevin Craig, D-Cabell and Richard Thompson, D-Wayne.
Several delegates, including Craig, said they made their decisions by weighing individual rights and the public good. "As a parent of two children under the age of four and having just gone through this (immunizations) with our pediatrician . I could not think of putting our children at risk by not immunizing them or putting other children at risk," Craig said.
Those who supported the bill, including Sobonya, pointed out that 48 states allow a religious exemption and that in West Virginia exemptions are given for medical reasons. "There are already children in schools with medical exemptions," Sobonya said. "So what's wrong with this exemption?"
Other delegates said some children have adverse reactions to immunizations and that the state shouldn't be involved in making parental decisions. "Who is responsible for making decisions about children -- the state or parents?" asked Delegate Ann Calvert, R-Kanawha. "I believe it's the parents."
Thank you Wendy and Jody for your sympathy. I had to have a good cry myself. We worked SO hard on it, only to lose to a bunch of utterly groundless lies.
We should be able to try again next year. Boy I WISH someone would take it to the Supreme Court. Wouldn't that be nice. But get this, the opposing delegate told me that she is working with people to draft a bill in Congress to rescind religious exemptions in ALL states. I kid you not.
In view of this and the "State should be able to force everyone to be vaccinated" sentiment expressed in the recent Time magazine editorial, I am thinking that the vaccine choice movement can no longer afford to simply reach a few parents who are concerned. I don't know, but I'm wondering if we need some serious grassroots revolution in questioning vaccine policy in this country. You know, have vaccine education workshops in every state, lobbying politicians, educating community and church leaders, etc. It seems like most of us are connected very loosely through isolated egroups like this one. I wonder if we can unite and work together a little bit more than we do. For example, have a standard template for vaccine education workshops that we can share with anyone who wants to conduct one.
How we are going to do this while taking care of our vaccine-injured children or our own vaccine-injured selves, I don't know. But I sure would like to see that happen.
Just thinking out loud.
Helen
We should be able to try again next year. Boy I WISH someone would take it to the Supreme Court. Wouldn't that be nice. But get this, the opposing delegate told me that she is working with people to draft a bill in Congress to rescind religious exemptions in ALL states. I kid you not.
In view of this and the "State should be able to force everyone to be vaccinated" sentiment expressed in the recent Time magazine editorial, I am thinking that the vaccine choice movement can no longer afford to simply reach a few parents who are concerned.
---------------Transcript 3/4/03-----------------
Barbara Hatfield: ...I'm a nurse, and we got the information down here. There's a bill in Congress supported by the American Medical Association that they are going to try to rescind [religious exemptions] in other states. It's a public health thing to me...[unclear]
Helen: [interrupts] Sure. Well, I understand that it is a public health issue, but the point is though if people do have religious convictions such as myself, I either have to go against these convictions or move out of the state. So is your position that we should just move out of the state?
Barbara Hatfield: I think we'll probably try to get the other states rescinded. I think that's what the move would be...
Helen: [interrupts] That's 47 other states. We can't speak for them. Do you see what I'm saying? We are speaking for West Virginia right now.
Barbara Hatfield: I have religious convictions too. My husband, I'm divorced now, went to the Baptist Theological Seminary...
Helen: For example, are you aware that some vaccines use tissue...
Barbara Hatfield: [interrupts] They don't anymore. We've already checked into that.
Helen: No, no, they do, they've got cell lines....
Barbara Hatfield: We've got the things from CDC [unclear]... in 1960, we've got all the statements that they don't anymore..
Helen: No, no. The cell lines are derived from 2 abortions, once in the 70's and once in the 60's. They're not from fresh abortions, they're from old abortions. But still, if I have a religious conviction that I cannot support the pharmaceutical companies that would use such cell lines, then do I have to move from the state, is that what you're saying?
Barbara Hatfield: I'm not going to discuss it anymore, because no matter what you say, I'm not going to change my position.
Helen: I'm not asking you to change your position. I'm asking you to state your position. Are you saying that I should move from the state if I don't like it?
Barbara Hatfield: No, I don't think you should move from the state because we're going to try to rescind it.
Helen: The point is it is NOT rescinded in other states. Right now, Pennsylvania does have religious exemption, so are you saying I should just move to Pennsylvania?
Barbara Hatfield: I'm saying I would rather you stay in West Virginia...
Helen: And go against my convictions?
Barbara Hatfield: Uh huh. And homeschool your kid so that you don't go in with the....
Helen: [interrupts] And if my husband should die, and I can't homeschool, then you're saying I should move to Pennsylvania?
Barbara Hatfield: I'm not telling you to move to Pennsylvania. I hope you stay in here in West Virginia.
Helen: Okay...
Barbara Hatfield: Bye.
http://www.cyberbreezes.com/health/vac-exp-l.htm
"We believe in God, and that God has created us in his image. In being created in God's image, we are given his perfect immune system. We are bestowed with His gift, the immune system. We believe it is sacrilegious and a violation of our sacred religious beliefs to violate what God has given us by showing a lack of faith in God. Immunizations are a lack of faith in God and His way, the immune system."
Here is an excerpt from my book, The Vaccine Guide.
Military Service
All branches of the armed services do have "immunization waivers." Anyone who enlists must state his or her objection to vaccination at that time. The waiver may take the form of religious exemption based on "religious conscience," or a medical exemption, such as allergies or a low tolerance to medication of any kind. Future refusal of vaccination in the absence of this initial objection could result in dire consequences. Anyone who experiences difficulties in obtaining an exemption should follow the same instructions outlined in the section on religious exemptions discussed above in relation to the education system.
Here is the relevant section of the code.
Paragraph 13 of AFJI 48-110
13. Waivers. The respective Surgeons General and CG MPC or Commandant (G-K) grant permanent immunization waivers for military or civilian personnel (employed by the military or training under military sponsorship). Such waivers are granted only in the case of legitimate religious objections to Immunization and are revoked if necessary to ensure the accomplishment of the military mission. Authority to grant temporary waivers is delegated as follows;
13.1. Army only. Medical authority at major commands.
13.2. Air Force only. Major command surgeons.
13.3. Navy and Marine Corps only. The Chief, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery.
13.4. Waivers from private physicians based on personal beliefs or attitudes are not authorized.
13.5. Forward to the appropriate commander or surgeon waivers for religious objections.
13.5.1. Include full name, rank, and SSN; name of recognized religious group and the date of the applicant's affiliation; supporting certification signed by an authorized personal religious counselor. The counselor attests that the applicant is an active member in good standing of the espoused religious group, adheres to tenets consistent with the espoused religious beliefs and the religious group has a tenet or belief opposing immunizations.
13.6. Commanders ensure counseling of the applicant is provided by a medical officer and documented in the health record. The following Information is included in the counseling:
13.6.1. Noncompliance with immunization requirements adversely impact deployability and administrative actions may be taken.
13.6.2. Additional risk to health on exposure to disease against which he/she is not protected.
13.6.3. Possibility he/she may be detained during travel across international borders in accordance with international health regulations.
13.6.4. Possibility that if a waiver is granted the waiver can be revoked if he/she is at imminent risk of exposure to a disease for which an immunization is available. This is in keeping with the tenets concerning involuntary therapeutic care when military mission accomplishment may be compromised.
Randall Neustaedter, OMD
Classical Medicine Center
1779 Woodside Rd Suite 201C
Redwood City, CA 94061
650 299-9170
Author of The Vaccine Guide, North Atlantic Books, 2002
www.cure-guide.com
The response from Tracy was very much on target for the Vaccine Exemption Laws in Illinois. www.vaccineawareness.org has the Il statues and how to use them. Make sure your letter is in your own words as we have heard that some have been rejected because the letter was not their own. Make sure that you use the phrase "personal religious" exemption. This means this is your belief, not one of an organized religion. The state is trying to weed out philosophical objections.
The one thing that makes it a little more difficult in IL is that there are no definitive guidelines in the law for acceptance of a letter or who makes this decision. Some districts -it is the superintendent, others- it may be the nurse, secretary or county public health official.
If this is for pre-school, the law states that "not vaccinating" has to be in the tennants of your organized religion. Yes, to ask your religious affiliation is against the 1st admendment of the Constitution. (we are trying to get the pre-school law changed) Therefore, we have noticed that if you follow the directions the law gives for exemption letters for k-college, not many preschools push it. If this is a private pre-school, you may have no problem at all. Only public schools have to abide by the vaccination laws, private schools (who take no public funding) can do as they please.
What we have noticed in the last year is that the school districts in the suburban Chicago area are starting to question medical exemptions. Many drs in the area that use to write out medical exemptions are now counseling their patients on writing personal religious exemptions.
Also, if your school rejects your letter, ask them to please put their objections in writing. It's amazing how this request gets their feathers ruffled and many times they back down. Keep your letter short and concise - 2 paragraphs max.
Good luck. If you need help with your letter, feel free to call the Illinois Vaccine Awareness Coalition at 847-836-0488. Or email it to us at wiedb@aol.com or fax it to 847-428-6366. We'd be glad to go over it with you.
Sherry Wied,
IL Vaccine Awareness Coalition
Dear Florida citizens and KNOW supporters:
Regarding the right to religious exemption from vaccination, most people are under the mistaken notion that in order to obtain an exemption they must prove membership in a recognized religious denomination that expressly declares a conflict between its tenets and the practice of vaccination. In 1998, the Florida Supreme Court clarified the statutory language regarding religious exemption. The Florida vaccination statute clearly limits the authority of the state and of the agents involved in administering vaccine policy. Agents of the state may not question a person's religious convictions and they are prohibited from demanding any administrative proof
documenting his/her beliefs.
Unaware of these limitations, many parents who have sincere religious objections to vaccination but who do not belong to a recognized religion that expressly states a conflict will reluctantly permit the administration of vaccinating agents. Public health officials and agents of the state who administer vaccinating agents (physicians) and who enforce vaccination requirements (school administrators) do not inform parents who question vaccine policy of the ease with which they may claim religious exemption -- either because these agents are themselves uninformed or because they wish to deny parents the right to religious exemption.
While you may already have an authorized religious exemption, a review of the following answers to frequently asked questions about the religious exemption process will clarify this information and enhance your own understanding of the vaccination statute. This information is also inserted at the bottom as a Word Document for easy duplication. Please distribute this information to other parents and citizens who are looking to be more informed about vaccine issues. Thank you for your support.
Toni Krehel, AP
Beaches Acu-Medical Center
Vaccine Awareness of Florida
K.N.O.W. Vaccines - Kids Need Options With Vaccines
www.know-vaccines.org
"The strength of evil lies in the weakness of good people." Saint Pius V "No nation is permitted to live in ignorance with impunity." Thomas Jefferson
Frequently Asked Questions About Religious Exemption
The 2002 Florida Statutes codify regulations for Public K-12 Education under Title XLVIII in Chapter 1003. The mandates for vaccination requirements and exemption provisions are specified in section 1003.22. Note: This statute was previously organized under Chapter 232 in section 232.032. While the placement of these regulations has changed, the statutory language remains the same.
Q: What is a religious exemption?
A: A religious exemption is a formal record that verifies authorized exemption from forced compliance of state vaccination requirements and is necessary only for entry into a public or private school. A religious exemption is for anyone who has a sincere religious conflict with vaccination. A religious objection may be expressly implied by religious denomination or it may be based on an individual’s own moral/spiritual conscience to live God’s Word.
Q: What constitutes a religious conflict with vaccination?
A: All vaccines are made in violation of God’s Word. Vaccines are made with toxic chemicals that are injected into the bloodstream by vaccination. All vaccines are made with foreign proteins (viruses and bacteria), and some vaccines are made with genetically engineered viral and bacterial materials. A conflict arises if you believe that man is made in God’s image and the injection of toxic chemicals and foreign proteins into the bloodstream is a violation of God’s directive to keep the body/temple holy and free from impurities. Vaccines are produced in animal tissues. A conflict arises if you accept God’s warning not to mix the blood of man with the blood of animals. Some vaccines are produced in aborted fetal tissue. A conflict arises if your religious convictions are predicated on the belief that all life is sacred. God’s commandment “Thou Shall Not Kill” applies to the practice of abortion. When it is believed that the practice of abortion should not be encouraged or supported in any manner, a conflict may arise with vaccines produced in aborted fetal tissue even though you didn’t have anything to do with the abortions from which the vaccines are made from.
Q: What religions qualify for religious exemption?
A: The statutory language for Florida vaccine policy clearly states that religious exemption must be granted without question if vaccination conflicts with a person’s religious convictions. The public health department is prohibited from requesting ANY administrative proof that explains the recipient's religious belief or that proves membership in an "acceptable" or specific religion. The state may NOT discriminate between religious denominations and may NOT make judgments regarding religious convictions.
Q: How do I obtain a religious exemption from vaccination?
A: A religious exemption from vaccination requirements must be obtained from the Department of Health, i.e. any county health department. A county public health director must authorize exemption. Certification of authorized religious exemption is recorded on HRS form #681. This form is available at the country health department and must be signed by a county public health
director.
Q: Is the religious exemption process the same in every Florida county?
A: Whether you live in Manatee County, Palm Beach County, or St. Johns County, the procedure for getting a religious exemption from vaccination is the same. The Florida statutes regarding vaccination are state requirements that apply to all students enrolled in public and private schools. It is not necessary to obtain a religious exemption from the public health department in the county where you reside. All county health departments are obliged to authorize a religious exemption when requested.
Q: Is it necessary to schedule an appointment in advance with the county health director to obtain a religious exemption?
A: It is not necessary to schedule an appointment in advance to request a religious exemption from forced compliance of vaccine requirements. To date, the directive to county health departments from the Tallahassee Immunization Agency regarding the handling of requests for religious exemption is not uniformly followed throughout the state. Some public health officials are very reluctant to honor the religious beliefs of individuals and will resist authorization of religious exemption by making unlawful requests for administrative proof, by making false statements regarding the religious exemption process, using intimidating language to discourage your request, or by delaying or refusing to make appointments with the county director. Whether you make an appointment or request an exemption on demand by walk-in, county health officials may not discriminate against religious beliefs and must grant a religious exemption without question.
Q: What information do I need to provide the county health department when I request a religious exemption?
A: Florida law provides that you are entitled to a religious exemption with no questions asked. When requesting a religious exemption, it is NOT necessary to provide any administrative evidence that proves your religious beliefs. It is also not necessary to discuss any other particulars regarding your beliefs or your child’s health history. Agents of the state may not ask
for religious documentation, letters from religious leaders, church membership, or vaccine records. The social security number of the individual for whom a religious exemption may be requested, but it is not required. You need only provide valid identification.
Q: Can I get an exemption from some vaccines?
A: The vaccine dilemma applies to both the decision to or not to vaccinate as well as to the decision to vaccinate with only specific vaccines. In the first case, the decision not to vaccinate is based on a belief that all vaccination is inherently dangerous by virtue of the fact that (1) all vaccines are toxic, (2) the theory that vaccination improves immune function is flawed, and/or (3) injecting harmful substances, including attenuated diseases, into the blood stream is ethically immoral. In the second case, the theory that vaccination improves immune function is not disputed even though it is acknowledged that there are known risks associated with vaccination. In this case, the goal is to vaccinate for only the diseases that one is fearful of being infected with. If you believe that some vaccines can be useful, then you should have the right to decide on one, some or all vaccines, and you should be able to determine when to have them administered. Unfortunately, public health law and conventional medical wisdom do not allow for that kind of freedom and discernment. Your only options with current vaccine policy are to (1) comply with accepted vaccine standards and all mandates, or (2) have religious objections to vaccination. You may not pick and choose and/or decide when to have them. It is either all or nothing.
Q: Can I get an exemption even though my child has had some shots?
A: Whether your child has had one vaccine or some, you may find at any time during your child's development that your beliefs about vaccination change. When the practice of vaccination conflicts with your religious beliefs, Florida law provides that you are entitled to a religious exemption with no questions asked. When you request an exemption, vaccine history is not relevant to the fact that vaccination convicts with your religious beliefs.
Q: Will the county health department authorize exemption and issue the religious exemption form at the time my request for exemption is made?
A: Yes.
Q: What should I do if the county health department denies my request for exemption, delays authorization, questions my beliefs, or otherwise intimidates my sincere beliefs?
A: If you find that your request for religious exemption is handled in such a manner, remain confident that Florida law upholds your right to a religious exemption. If the county health director requests administrative proof that your religion expressly states a conflict with vaccination and/or the director requests proof of membership or affiliation with a specific denomination, you may politely remind the official that it is not necessary to provide this information and, in fact, they are prohibited from requesting this information. If the county health director seems unsure of how to proceed with the religious exemption process without the information that they are requesting, tell them to call the Tallahassee Immunization Agency for direction on how to comply and tell them you will wait since it will only take a minute for them to get this information. If your request for a religious exemption is still denied, be sure to take down the public health official’s name and report this negligence to the Tallahassee Immunization Agency, the Liberty Counsel, and/or your attorney. You may request an exemption from another county health department.
Q: What do I have to present to my child’s school if I wish to claim a religious exemption?
A: Florida vaccination law states that the statutory provisions for vaccination requirements prior to enrollment in school do not apply if the parent or guardian of the child objects in writing that vaccination conflicts with his or her religious tenets or practices. The statute implies that a letter is sufficient notice for exemption from statutory vaccination requirements. In practice, however, the authorization for religious exemption by a county health department is recorded on the same form that a child’s vaccine history is detailed by his/her physician. The statutes requires that prior to admittance to or attendance at a public or private school, grades preschool through 12, parents must provide the school with certification of vaccination status. This certification is recorded on HRS form #681. This form is signed and filled out by either the child's physician -- indicating the child's vaccination history -- OR -- signed by a county health director authorizing religious exemption. HRS form #681 proves either up-to-date vaccine compliance or religious exemption from vaccination requirements.
Q: What documentation should I keep on hand to prove authorized religious exemption from forced compliance of vaccination requirements?
A: Although in practice it is not necessary to provide a written letter expressing a religious conflict with vaccination in order to receive authorization for religious exemption, it is nevertheless a good idea to have on file a dated written letter along with a copy of the Florida statute and either the original or a copy of your authorized religious exemption, HRS form #681.
Q: Do I need to give the school the original HRS form #681 or will a copy of this form suffice?
A: The statute does not specify that the original HRS form #681 must be submitted to the school administrator. The statutory language stipulates that the school board of each district and the governing authority of each nonpublic school shall have on file, prior to admittance or attendance, a certification of vaccination for each student, grades preschool through 12. Such certification is HRS form #681 and is provided by the Department of Health and shall become a part of each student’s permanent record, to be transferred when the student transfers, is promoted, or changes schools. The transfer of such certification by Florida public schools shall be accomplished using the Florida Automated System for Transferring Education Records and shall be deemed to meet the requirements of this section. Since the statute stipulates that records are to be transferred from one school to another electronically, a copy of the original document should suffice. If your child’s school administrator insists on having the original document, inquire as to the reasoning of this request. You may refer to the statutory language that stipulates student records are transferred from one school to another electronically.
Q: Can a school or day-care refuse my religious exemption?
If you have an authorized religious exemption, no public or private school administrator may question your religious beliefs. No agent of the state may DENY a student with an authorized religious exemption admission to school or day-care facility. School administrators MAY NOT require additional administrative proof of religious conviction (including name of church affiliation or letters from pastors). School administrators MAY NOT discriminate against religious beliefs or make judgments regarding exemptions. A school administrator’s ONLY authority/role in the matter of vaccine mandates is to comply with the state’s administrative requests, namely to obtain from the parent and retain on file an HRS form #681 for each student enrolled. HRS form #681 proves either up-to-date vaccine compliance or religious exemption from vaccination requirements. School administrators have no other role in vaccine laws.
Q: Do the Florida vaccination statutes apply to children who are home-schooled?
A: The statutes do not apply to children who are home-schooled. The requirements for forced compliance of vaccination apply only to children enrolled in public schools, private schools or day-care facilities.
Q: Is my religious exemption valid in other states?
A: No. Each state has their own specific laws regarding vaccination requirements. Your authorized religious exemption from forced compliance of vaccination applies to enrollment and attendance at Florida schools only. It will not be recognized/accepted by schools in another state. For specific state vaccination requirements and/or information regarding provisions for religious exemption, you may contact the National Vaccine Information Center for referral to their state affiliates for vaccine information. Currently, only two states (West Virginia and Mississippi) do not provide for religious exemption from forced compliance of vaccine requirements.
Q: In the event the public health department declares a public health emergency and issues orders for mass vaccination, will my religious exemption prevent state agents from forcing compliance?
A: Yes and No. In response to bioterrorism fears, the Florida legislature approved and Governor Jeb Bush signed into law the original coercive version of the MEHPA (Model Emergency Health Powers Act) which gives unelected public health officials the power to force vaccination with any means necessary (including at gunpoint) and without exception. Even though the statutory language provides that quarantine will be an option for those who do not want to be vaccinated, the statute also stipulates that the unelected public health official may decide quarantine is not feasible so vaccination may be enforced. On the other hand, the Homeland Security Act signed into law by President Bush provides for voluntary vaccination. Thus, religious objection is protected. However, it is not clear whether the state or federal law would take precedence in the event of a declared public health emergency.
K.N.O.W. Vaccines 904-280-0546 www.know-vaccines.org
http://www.access1.net/via/STATES/req-tn.htm
CALIFORNIA CODES
HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE
SECTION 120325-120380
120365. Immunization of a person shall not be required for admission to a school or other institution listed in Section 120335 if the parent or guardian or adult who has assumed responsibility for his or her care and custody in the case of a minor, or the person seeking admission if an emancipated minor, files with the governing authority a letter or affidavit stating that the immunization is contrary to his or her beliefs. However, whenever there is good cause to believe that the person has been exposed to one of the communicable diseases listed in subdivision (a) of Section 120325, that person may be temporarily excluded from the school or institution until the local health officer is satisfied that the person is no longer at risk of developing the disease.
120370. If the parent or guardian files with the governing authority a written statement by a licensed physician to the effect that the physical condition of the child is such, or medical circumstances relating to the child are such, that immunization is not considered safe, indicating the specific nature and probable duration of the medical condition or circumstances that contraindicate immunization, that person shall be exempt from the requirements of Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 120325, but excluding Section 120380) and Sections 120400, 120405, 120410, and 120415 to the extent indicated by the physician's statement.
Here it is for New Mexico.
Exemptions
Parents have the right to refuse immunizations for medical, religious, or philosophical reasons. Medical exemptions must be signed by the child's physician on letterhead paper and a copy sent to the NM Immunization Program. Religious/ philosophical exemption forms must be filled out, officially notarized, and returned to the NM Immunization Program for filing. A copy will be given to the parent or guardian to present to the school/daycare. Immunization exemption forms must be renewed and resubmitted every school year.
Click here to download the NM Immunization Exemption Form (pdf)
http://www.health.state.nm.us/Preview/Immunize/NMID/Pages/Public/sched/COform.pdf
Completed medical or CO exemption forms must be returned to the Immunization Program either by:
1) Mail:
Celina Lopez
Attn: Immunization Exemption form
Immunization Program
NM Department of Health
1190 St. Francis Dr.
Santa Fe, NM 87505
2) Fax: 505-827-1741 or
3) Or electronically (scanned and emailed):
clopez@doh.state.nm.us
Occupational Exemptions
This exemption is for the Hepatitis B vaccine for any professions which may require a Hepatitis B vaccine for employment.
OSHA Regulations (Standards-29CFR) "Hepatitis B Vaccine Declination (Mandatory) - 1910.1030 App A"
http://www.osha-slc.gov/OshStd_data/1910_1030_APP_A.html
[Found an actual letter form. This doc file can be edited for your particular job situation]
JOSEPH F. SULLIVAN CENTER
CLEMSON UNIVERSITY MEDICAL SURVEILLANCE PROGRAM
OSHA Regulations (Standards - 29 CFR)
Hepatitis B Vaccine Declination (Mandatory) - 1910.1030 App A
I understand that due to my occupational exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials I may be at risk of acquiring hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. I have been given the opportunity to be vaccinated with hepatitis B vaccine, at no charge to myself. However, I decline hepatitis B vaccination at this time. I understand that by declining this vaccine, I continue to be at risk of acquiring hepatitis B, a serious disease. If in the future I continue to have occupational exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials and I want to be vaccinated with hepatitis B vaccine, I can receive the vaccination series at no charge to me.
Name (please print): ______________________________________
Signature _______________________________________________
Date: __________
[56 FR 64004, Dec. 06, 1991, as amended at 57 FR 12717, April 13, 1992; 57 FR 29206, July 1, 1992; 61 FR 5507, Feb. 13, 1996]
Hepb-decline
8/03
http://www.clemson.edu/caah/MSP/enrollment_forms/ OSHA_Hepatitis_B_Decline.doc
from Jeff Rense's site....
http://www.rense.com/health/no.htm
Mr. & Mrs. John Smith
123 Alphabet Way
Anytown, NJ 12345
(555) 555-5555
Mr. Tom Jones, Ed. D., Director
George Washington School
456 Washington Avenue
Anytown, NJ 12345 (555) 555-0000
Statement Of Religious Objection To Immunization
In accordance with NJ State Statute 26:1A-9.1 1974, and Section 8:57-4.4 N.J.A.C. 1995, I hereby certify that the administration of vaccine and other immunizing agents to my child, Breanna Paige Smith, is contrary to my Religious beliefs, held either individually or jointly with others, and I therefore request that my child be exempted from the school immunization requirements of NJ State Statute 26:1A-9 1974, and Section 8:57-4.1 N.J.A.C. 1995.
We believe in God, and that God has created us in his image. In being created in God,s image, we are given his perfect immune system. We are bestowed with His gift, the immune system. I believe it is sacrilegious and a violation of my sacred religious beliefs to violate what God has given us by showing a lack of faith in God. Immunizations are a lack of faith in God and His way, the immune system. I believe that receiving immunizations shows God that I have no faith in His promises of protection for us, saying that I trust man more than His holy words of protection for us. We believe in Jesus, and his many promises of protection for us if we place our trust in Him.
My religious beliefs are also based upon the understanding of what God requires of them as provided for in the Bible. 1 Corinthians 8:6
Yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist. 2 Corinthians 6:16-7:1
For we are the temple of the living God; and God said, " I will live in them and move among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Therefore come out from them and be separate from them, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch nothing unclean; and I will welcome you, and I will be a father to you, and you shall be my sons and daughters, says the Almighty." Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, and make holiness perfect in the fear of God.Romans 14:14
I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself; but it is unclean for any one who thinks it unclean. 1 Corinthians 12:24-27
But God has adjusted the body, giving the greater honor to the inferior part, that there may be not discord in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. Now you are in the body of Christ and individually members of it. 1Corinthians 11:29-30
For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgement upon himself. That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some of you have died. Mark 2:17
And hearing this, Jesus said to them, "It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick; I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners." Mark 10:26-28
And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to him " Then who can be saved?" Jesus looked at them and said, "With men it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God." 1 Corinthians 2:5
That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. Mark 5:34
And he said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace and be healed of your disease." Ephesians 2:8-10
For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not your own dong, it is the gift of God - not because of works, lest any man should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for goods works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Psalms 91:11
For he will give his angels charge of you to guard you in all your ways. Isaiah 58:11
And the Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy your desire with good things, and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.
I swear that all the foregoing statements are true to the best of my information, knowledge and belief.
_________________________________________________ _____________________ John Smith - Father DATE
_________________________________________________ _____________________ Jane Smith - Mother DATE
Subscribed and Sworn before me this ________ day of _____________________, 2003.
___________________________________________ ATTORNEY'S SIGNATURE
Hello and thank you to everyone who sent me information regarding the religious exemptions for NJ. I'm happy to say that it ended up being a non-event; the director barely glanced at my attached letter and kept on talking about the school. Apparently, I am not the first to submit a religious exemption at Montessori! Galo started school yesterday without incident or confrontation, thankfully. Ironically, it would seem the only schools that are not required to accept a religious exemption are religious schools.
Regards,
Lisa
Dh did the homework and found the following:
http://www.state.nj.us/health/cd/chap14.htm
(New Jersey Administrative Code Citation 8:57-4.1 to 8:57-4.19 Adopted April 3, 1995; Readopted with amendments September 18, 2000) 8:57-4.1 Applicability
This subchapter shall apply to all children attending any public or private school, child care center, nursery school, preschool or kindergarten in New Jersey.
8:57-4.4 Religious exemptions
(a) A child shall be exempted from mandatory immunization if the parent or guardian objects thereto in a written statement submitted to the school, preschool, or child care center, signed by the parent or guardian, explaining how the administration of immunizing agents conflicts with the pupil's exercise of bona fide religious tenets or practices. General philosophical or moral objection to immunization shall not be sufficient for an exemption on religious grounds.
(b) Religious affiliated schools or child care centers shall have the authority to withhold or grant a religious exemption from the required immunization for pupils entering or attending their institutions without challenge by any secular health authority.
(c) This statement will be kept by the school, preschool, or child care center as part of the child's immunization record.
(d) Those children with religious exemptions from receiving immunizing agents may be excluded from the school, preschool, or child care center during a vaccine-preventable disease outbreak or
threatened outbreak as determined by the Commissioner, Department of Health and Senior Services or his or her designee.
(e) As provided by N.J.S.A. 26:4-6, "Any body having control of a school may, on account of the prevalence of any communicable disease, or to prevent the spread of communicable diseases, prohibit the attendance of any teacher or pupil of any school under their control and specify the time during which the teacher or scholar shall remain away from school." The Department of Health and Senior Services shall provide guidance to the school on the appropriateness of any such prohibition. All schools are required to comply with the provisions of N.J.A.C. 8:61-1.1 regarding attendance at school by pupils or adults infected by Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).
(f) Those children enrolled in school, preschool, or child care centers before September 1, 1991, and who have previously been granted a religious exemption, shall not be required to reapply for a
new religious exemption under N.J.A.C. 8:57-4.4(a).
There is also information relating exactly how many cases of infectious disease have been reported by county each year so we could prove that it was not going to be an issue should the school try to use that to prevent Galo from enrolling.
Posted: February 23, 2004
5:00 p.m. Eastern
By Ron Strom
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
© 2004 WorldNetDaily.com
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=37258
West Virginia homeschooling families and others were scheduled to stage two rallies today to protest a proposed bill that would require every child in the state to have a record of compulsory immunizations.
The legislation, Senate Bill 439, stipulates "any parent or guardian who refuses to permit his or her child to be immunized" would face a criminal charge.
The rallies, sponsored by West Virginians for Vaccination Exemption, were scheduled to take place at the state Capitol in Charleston and outside the Marion County Courthouse in Fairmont.
"If passed, this bill will turn all West Virginian parents who choose not to vaccinate for religious reasons into criminals or force them to move to another state," Helen Tucker, co-founder of WVVE and state chair of the Libertarian Party of West Virginia, said in a statement.
Unlike 48 other states, West Virginia currently does not have a provision for a religious or philosophical exemption. However, families can assert they have sufficient medical reason for not immunizing a child, which works, in effect, like an exemption. The new bill would do away with that right.
The legislation, which is sponsored by Sen. Joseph M. Minard and Sen. Roman Prezioso, both Democrats, also adds hepatitis B and chickenpox vaccines to the list of mandatory shots. WVVE says the chickenpox vaccine is manufactured with human cell cultures obtained from abortions and is objectionable to many parents for religious reasons.
Reads the bill, in part: "The state has a compelling interest in protecting the health of all citizens of this state, especially our children. With vaccines widely available to reduce or prevent the incidence of disease, the state bureau for public health has determined that the point of school entry is the best time to confirm each child's record of compulsory immunization from the diseases enumerated in subsection (c) of this section."
The bill establishes a fine of between $100 and $500 for any parent who refuses to show the state a valid immunization record for his or her child.
WVVE is demanding the bill be amended to:
include religious and philosophical exemption from all mandatory vaccinations; eliminate all penalties for parents who choose not to vaccinate; require vaccinations only for children attending school;
restore physicians' rights to exercise individual judgment in issuing medical exemptions; and eliminate the state's "compelling interest" that supercedes parental choice and requires compulsory immunizations for "each child." The Rev. Thomas J. Euteneuer, president of Human Life International, is also involved in the protest of the bill.
Commented Euteneuer in a statement: "Along with Mississippi, West Virginia is the only state to forbid religious vaccine exemptions. This bill goes even further by prohibiting physicians from granting medical exemptions according to what they believe is best for each patient. Senate Bill 439 would also make West Virginia the only state to force homeschoolers to be immunized.
"It is deplorable that the West Virginia department of health is attempting to mandate these vaccines without an exemption," said the minister. "State officials have a moral and legal responsibility to uphold parents' constitutional right to make an informed decision about the medical care their children receive. They're taking the fruit of the poison tree and making us eat it."
The Homeschool Legal Defense Association, or HSLDA, opposes the legislation.
Scott Woodruff, an attorney with the organization, explained the bill leaves families with religious or philosophical objections to vaccinations no recourse.
If the bill passes, Woodruff told WND, "There would be no way a family with religious exemptions could defend itself. They would have no way of winning an argument in front of a judge."
Continued Woodruff, "We are going to communicate to our members that this bill strips parents of important rights." He says HSLDA will e-mail its members in West Virginia informing them of the proposal.
"This bill would take away a very important right to direct the health care of children," Woodruff said. "Fundamentally, it's the parents who should direct the health care of their own children, not the government."
Woodruff mentioned data from the Centers for Disease Control indicate an exemption from vaccines does not cause a higher occurrence of diseases.
"In areas of preventing disease, we have to give parents wide discretion," he said.
A second reading of the bill in the state Senate is scheduled for tomorrow. A final vote could occur as early as Thursday.
Ron Strom is a news editor for WorldNetDaily.com.
My husband has decided to write his own flyer (freely plagiarizing from Wendy's flyer--she doesn't mind). He will put his name on this. If anyone want to put their name on this flyer too, you're welcome to join him. He just thinks calm and rational didn't work last year for our religious exemption, so we need something confrontational to get their attention.
Helen
Force ALL Children in West Virginia to Vaccinate?!
No Exceptions?! No Parental Choice?!
Is YOUR Child Worth the Risk?
Think Before You Vote on SB 439
COMPARE THE RISK: DISEASE VS. VACCINATION
A child killed by a vaccine is just as tragic as a child killed by illness. Are YOU willing to take complete responsibility for a death caused by a vaccine? Give parents a choice. They are the ones who live with the aftermath of a lost or injured child. Do vaccines really work? "This outbreak demonstrates that transmission of measles can occur within a school population with a documented immunization level of 100%." -- Measles outbreak among vaccinated high school students--Illinois. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 1984 Jun 22;33(24):349-51 Are YOU willing to take responsibility for forcing people to use a product that may not even work? Give parents a choice. They are the ones who live with the aftermath of a lost or injured child. Some vaccines are derived from the tissue of an aborted fetus! Do YOU want to take responsibility for depriving parents of their right to religious freedom? Give parents a choice. They are the ones who live with the aftermath of a lost or injured child. Are vaccines really safe? There are no studies done on the safety of vaccines or their components. Thimerosal, mercury compund is still in many vaccines including the flu shot and is a powerful neurotoxin. Vaccines contain some of the most toxic substances on the planet. Would YOU risk it to avoid chicken pox? Help protect our children. Give parents a choice.
Do not force parents to injure their own children by injecting known poisons into them.
To Delegates of the House of Representatives
From: David Tucker, Ph.D., Research Scientist, Morgantown, WV
The definition of the word "religious" goes well beyond reference to belief in the supernatural, let alone any specific belief in any particular being. The American Heritage Dictionary also defines religious as "3. Extremely scrupulous or conscientious". So, if you are scrupulous and conscientious about what you put in your child's body, YOU QUALIFY! Not vaccinating is one of your religious (read: scrupulous and conscientious) practices. Hurray.
Here are more Downloadable Exemption letters, forms, statements and affividavits to legally abstain from the forced medical experimentation known as "vaccination".
Vaccination Liberation's exemption page is here. Most of the forms are there.
http://www.vaclib.org/pdf/exemption.htm
These following letters, statements, affiidavits, etc... are not yet on our exemption page. Please share this widely.
Kentucky
Vac Lib religious exemption statement for Kentucky. May have turn in to health dept. to get the official Certificate of Religious Exemption, depending on the school.
http://forums.cloud-busters.com/files.cfm?fuseaction=files&profileusersname=
messiahmews&briefcasefileidlink=10983
Louisana
http://forums.cloud-busters.com/files.cfm?fuseaction=files&profileusersname=
messiahmews&briefcasefileidlink=5228
Tennessee
Religious Exemption Letter. In some districts, you may be required to turn this in to the health dept to get the Official Tennesse Certificate of Religious Exemption. It's a green form.
http://forums.cloud-busters.com/files.cfm?fuseaction=files&profileusersname=
messiahmews&briefcasefileidlink=5226
South Carolina
Religious exemption letter to Health Dept. Obtain the official South Carolina Certificate of Religious Exemption form
http://forums.cloud-busters.com/files.cfm?fuseaction=files&profileusersname=
messiahmews&briefcasefileidlink=5183
Alabama
Religious Exemption Letter to health dept to obtain the official Alabama Certificate of Relgious Exemption form.
http://forums.cloud-busters.com/files.cfm?fuseaction=files&profileusersname=
messiahmews&briefcasefileidlink=5227
Nevada
http://forums.cloud-busters.com/files.cfm?fuseaction=files&profileusersname=
messiahmews&briefcasefileidlink=5181
Indiana
http://forums.cloud-busters.com/files.cfm?fuseaction=files&profileusersname=
messiahmews&briefcasefileidlink=5182
Oregon (School Children Religious exemption)
http://forums.cloud-busters.com/files.cfm?fuseaction=files&profileusersname=
messiahmews&briefcasefileidlink=5186
Oregon (Adult Religious Exemption for employment)
http://forums.cloud-busters.com/files.cfm?fuseaction=files&profileusersname=
messiahmews&briefcasefileidlink=5185
Georgia
http://forums.cloud-busters.com/files.cfm?fuseaction=files&profileusersname=
messiahmews&briefcasefileidlink=5222
Georgia Adult (Employment)
http://forums.cloud-busters.com/files.cfm?fuseaction=files&profileusersname=
messiahmews&briefcasefileidlink=5187
District of Columbia (DC)http://forums.cloud-busters.com/files.cfm?fuseaction=files&profileusersname=
messiahmews&briefcasefileidlink=5224
Wisconsin
http://forums.cloud-busters.com/files.cfm?fuseaction=files&profileusersname=
messiahmews&briefcasefileidlink=5239
Vermont
http://forums.cloud-busters.com/files.cfm?fuseaction=files&profileusersname=
messiahmews&briefcasefileidlink=10981
South Dakota
Vaccination Exemption Statement for South Dakota
http://forums.cloud-busters.com/files.cfm?fuseaction=files&profileusersname=
messiahmews&briefcasefileidlink=10984
Pennsylvania
There are several to choose from...
PA Hepatitis B vaccine exemption letter.
http://forums.cloud-busters.com/files.cfm?fuseaction=files&profileusersname=
messiahmews&briefcasefileidlink=10985
PA Religious Exemption Letter for all vaccines.
http://forums.cloud-busters.com/files.cfm?fuseaction=files&profileusersname=
messiahmews&briefcasefileidlink=10986
Statement Of Religious Objection To Immunization in Pennsylvania.doc (with scriptures).
http://forums.cloud-busters.com/files.cfm?fuseaction=files&profileusersname=
messiahmews&briefcasefileidlink=10987
New Hampshire
New Hampshire Certificate of Religious Exemption. It can also be used for school children. Also download the letter to turn in along with it. The bureaucrats may try to refuse the exemption form, but the letter says it's used for other than child care program.
http://forums.cloud-busters.com/files.cfm?fuseaction=files&profileusersname
=messiahmews&briefcasefileidlink=10988
Letter of explanation to go with the NH Certificate of Religious Exemption. The exemption form says child care, but this letter from the NH Dept of Health says it's for school too. Use this letter along with the NH Religious Exemption.
http://forums.cloud-busters.com/files.cfm?fuseaction=files&profileusersname=
messiahmews&briefcasefileidlink=5189
New Hampshire certificate-religious-exemption-phys-exam. Religious Exemption from Physical Exams.
http://forums.cloud-busters.com/files.cfm?fuseaction=files&profileusersname=
messiahmews&briefcasefileidlink=10989
Sincerely,
Donna Carrillo, co-director
Vaccination Liberation
http://www.vaclib.org
Jim didn't give us a vaccine exemption letter we can use per se but he
did give us some guidelines in regards to how to write the letter......
Some things he said specifically were:
-Parents should state their intention in exempting their children from vaccination, citing NJ State Statute 26:1A-9.1 1974, and Section 8:57-4.4 N.J.A.C. 1995
-Parents should state that vaccination is against their religious beliefs, explaining what their religious beliefs are......
-Parents should cite scripture if they have scripture applicable to their specific religious beliefs listed (I personally have used 1 Corinthians 8:6 which affirms my belief that God created us in his image and has given us his perfect immune system-I stated it was against my religious beliefs to violate what God has given us by showing a lack of faith in God. I stated that vaccination was showing God I had no faith in Him to protect us .....I have also heard that some people have used Romans 14:14 and 1 Corinthians 12:24-27 which covers not allowing anything unclean into the body)
I took down some other info in regards to how the NJ State law applies to public, private, and parochial schools here in NJ...if anyone is interested in the info, let me know..........
take care,
Ellen Sweeney
Director,
NJ Chapter of The Autism Autoimmunity Project
http://www.autismautoimmunityproject.org
"Know the Cause, Fund the Cure"
Vaccine Liberation
http://www.vaclib.org
"Educate Before You Vaccinate"
[Dear PROVE Texas Members,
We have received so many questions regarding vaccine exemptions in the last couple of weeks with the start of school that we decided to put one informational note out to our whole group to try and help clarify this issue. This is also published on the web site for future reference. Hopefully this will answer your questions. If you are reading this note from somebody forwarding it to you and are not on our email list, please subscribe at http://www.vaccineinfo.net/subscribe.htm so you can be kept up to date.]
2004-2005 Texas Vaccine Exemption Information
The state of Texas in law grants and acknowledges the right of parents to exempt their children from vaccination requirements for day care, school, and college for reasons of conscience including a religious belief or for medical reasons. In 2003, the Texas legislature passed changes to the statutes expanding the reasons a parent can claim an exemption but the Health Department has questionably also increased the bureaucratic red tape necessary for claiming the exemption. There are specific procedures for requesting an official state form and submitting it to the school or for completing a medical exemption that all take some time so please don't wait until the last minute to get your papers in order.
For everyone claiming an exemption for the first time after 9/1/03, you must comply with the new law. If you've submitted an old religious exemption prior to 9/1/03 you are grandfathered under the old law (see notes below) and do not need a new form. The vaccine exemption forms for reasons of conscience including a religious belief are only for students claiming a vaccine exemption for the first time after 9/1/03 when the new law went into effect. If you need to request forms from the state health department, you can do it by fax, mail, or personal visit. If you send it by mail, we suggest sending it registered mail with a receipt so you can keep track of your request. If you send it by fax, set your fax machine to print out a delivery receipt. We would like to keep track of the Health Department's processing time.
According to the Texas Dept. of Health:
Written requests must be submitted through the U.S. Postal Service, commercial carrier, fax at (512)458-7288, or by hand-delivery to:
TDH Bureau of Immunization and Pharmacy Support
1100 West 49th Street
Austin, Texas 78756
Hand-delivered requests may be submitted to the TDH, Bureau of Immunization and Pharmacy Support, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. ALL affidavit forms will be mailed to you via U.S. Postal Service. No requests will be filled at the time of hand-delivery.
Affidavit form requests will be processed and mailed within one week from the receipt of the request. If additional information is needed in order to process the affidavit, you will be notified;
The letter must include the following information:
Full name of each child for whom a form is requested
(first, middle, and last);
Date of birth of each child for whom a form is requested; Parent or legal guardian’s complete return mailing address, including zip code; and Number of forms needed for each child (not to exceed five forms per child)
Electronic mail or telephone requests cannot be processed.
The official Texas Department of Health affidavit form must be notarized and submitted to school officials. The form must be submitted within 90 days from the date it is notarized.
The school will accept only official affidavit forms developed and issued by the Texas Department of Health (TDH), Immunization Division. No other forms or reproductions will be allowed.
(SOURCE: http://www.tdh.state.tx.us/immunize/school_exclusion.htm)
IT IS OUR OPINION THAT PARENTS SHOULD OBTAIN A WRITTEN NOTE FROM THE SCHOOL ACKNOWLEDGING RECEIPT OF THE EXEMPTION FORM. IF THE SCHOOL LOOSES THE FORM THEY CAN KICK YOUR KIDS OUT OF SCHOOL. IF YOU HAVE A WRITTEN RECEIPT FROM THE SCHOOL THAT YOU SUBMITTED THE FORM, YOU CAN PUT THE RESPONSIBILITY BACK ON THE SCHOOL TO GO FIND IT AND KEEP YOUR CHILD IN SCHOOL.
It is also our opinion that the department is outside of the law requiring that parents submit their children's names to get a form especially since the law requires the department to develop a blank form. They are also exceeding their authority in the statute by putting 2 year expirations on the new forms as the statute specifies no expiration. This bullying behavior is putting the department at risk for a legal challenge. However, for now, until this is legally challenged, these are the dictatorial procedures TDH has set up.
Ignorant school officials around the state are denying kids admission to school if they have an old religious exemption affidavit saying they need one of the new forms from the health department. THIS IS NOT TRUE! If you hear this is happening in your district, please call the superintendent's office and give them this link to the state health department where it clearly says you don't need a new form. Also, when you transfer schools, the old religious exemption letter is still part of your child's record and you do not need a new one as long as it was part of your child's record prior to 9/1/03.
http://www.tdh.state.tx.us/immunize/docs/faq_exemption.pdf
On the bottom of page 2, it says:
Q. If a child currently has a religious exemption for vaccinations on
file with the school, do they need to obtain a new vaccine
exemption for reasons of conscience affidavit?
A. No. Students who are currently exempt from vaccination for
religious beliefs and already have an affidavit on file at
the school they attend do not need a new vaccine exemption
affidavit form. The religious exemption on file remains valid.
Also on page 2 it says:
Q. What if my child changes schools?
A. The vaccine exemption affidavit is part of the child’s school records and should be sent to the new school with other school records.
The other option for parents to exempt their child from state immunization requirements is with a medical exemption written by a doctor. This is intended for families with children with health concerns or a past history of reactions. While this option bypasses the bureaucratic red tape with the new conscientious/religious exemption, the pressures on doctors to not write these are great and it may be difficult to get a doctor who acknowledges a vaccine reaction to substantiate that in writing by issuing an exemption because of pressures being put on them to deny acknowledgement of vaccine reactions.
Regardless, most families and physicians are not aware the exemption statute was greatly expanded last session to make it much easier for a doctor to write to protect a child from future reactions. No longer do they have to say the vaccine would definitively harm the child but that it instead poses a risk to the child. Any M.D. or D.O. licensed to practice medicine in the United States can write the letter stating that "in the physician's opinion, the vaccine required poses a significant risk to the health and well-being of the child or any member of the child's household." If the letter also says this is for a lifelong condition, (the condition does not need to be named) the exemption never has to be renewed. Otherwise it has to be renewed annually. The doctor just needs to write it out on a piece of paper and sign it. In this case, you can keep the original and give the school a copy.
Here is a sample medical exemption letter:
Medical Exemption to Immunization
In my opinion, the required immunizations pose a significant risk
to the health and well-being of (name of child).
This is a lifelong exemption for lifelong conditions.
Doctor's name, signature, and date
REFERENCES TO LAWS
Laws Which Allow For Exclusions from Compliance Children and Education:
Texas Education Code, Health and Safety Chapter Section 38.0001 - Immunization Requirement Exceptions
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/statutes/docs/ED/content/htm/ed.002.00.000038.00.htm#38.001.00
Texas Administrative Code Title 25 Part 1 Section 97 - Immunization Requirements in Texas Elementary and Secondary Schools and Institutes of Higher Education (this section contains vaccine requirements by rule, provisional enrollment, and exemptions)
http://info.sos.state.tx.us/pls/pub/readtac$ext.ViewTAC?tac_view=5&ti=25&pt=1&ch=97&sch=B&rl=Y
Day Care:
Human Resource Code, Section 42.043 - Rules for Immunizations and Exemptions
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/statutes/docs/HR/content/htm/hr.002.00.000042.00.htm#42.043.00
Health Care Providers:
Texas Administrative Code Title 25 Part 1 Rule § 97.101- Statewide Immunization of Children by Hospitals, Physicians, and other Health Care Providers
http://info.sos.state.tx.us/pls/pub/readtac$ext.ViewTAC?tac_view=5&ti=25&pt=1&ch=97&sch=D&rl=Y
State of Texas:
Texas Health and Safety Code, Section 161.004 - Statewide Immunization of Children
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/statutes/docs/HS/content/htm/hs.002.00.000161.00.htm#161.004.00
Applicable law has been interpreted to mean that a religious belief is subject to protection even though no religious group espouses such beliefs or the fact that the religious group to which the individual professes to belong may not advocate or require such belief. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as amended Nov. 1, 1980; Part 1605.1-Guidelines on Discrimination Because of Religion.
Religion Today Feature Story
a close-up look at the people, issues and events making news
http://link.crosswalk.com/UM/T.asp?A1.8.26213.1.211779
Florida High Court Affirms Expanded Protection for Religion
Allie Martin and Jody Brown
Agape Press
The Florida Supreme Court has ruled that the state's Religious Freedom Restoration Act expands protection for religious freedom. The court said religious freedom in the Sunshine State is entitled to greater protection than that guaranteed under the U.S. Constitution.
Earlier this month, the Florida Supreme Court issued an opinion in the case of Warner v. City of Boca Raton stating that the Florida Religious Freedom Restoration Act (FRFRA) "expands the scope of religious protection beyond the conduct considered protected" by cases from the U.S. Supreme Court. "We also hold that under the Act, any law, even a neutral law of general applicability, is subject to the strict scrutiny standard where the law substantially burdens the free exercise of religion," the court stated.
Here's a Catholic religious exemption letter which has a website as well mentioned.
http://www.cogforlife.org/vaxexempt.htm
Rubella, Varivax, Hepatitis-A, Hepatitis-B
To whom it may concern:
In accordance with Indiana Code 20-8.1-7-9.5 section 2. (a), I hereby state that receiving the following vaccines conflicts with our family religious beliefs.
--Rubella
--Varivax
--Hepatitis-A
--Hepatitis-B
The attenuated virus used to produce the Rubella vaccine (RA27/3) was obtained from an aborted fetus and then cultivated on fetal tissue from another aborted baby (WI-38).
The Chickenpox vaccine containing WI-38, MRC-5 and Hepatitis-A vaccine (MRC-5) were obtained from human babies that were electively aborted.
The Hepatitis-B vaccine protects against a disease that is only transmitted through multiple sexual partners or street IV drug users and therefore usurps my parental authority to condemn such activity in my children. The acceptance of this vaccine promotes sexual promiscuity and immoral behavior in direct contradiction to the teachings of our faith.
Attached is documentation (Catholic Exemption) clarifying our position according to our Religious belief. http://www.cogforlife.org/vaxexempt.htm
We therefore state that our child, (INSERT CHILDS NAME) is exempt from receiving these vaccinations.
Signed,
(Printed Name) (Signature)
(date)
Donna Carrillo, co-director
Vaccination Liberation
http://www.vaclib.org
Florida State University - HEPATITIS B VACCINATION DECLINATION FORM (University Employees) OSHA
http://www.safety.fsu.edu/forms/hbv.pdf
Health statistics
Statewide whooping cough cases
2003 2004
63 103
Immunizations waivers in Michigan:
2002-03 school year, 16,000 waivers
* 4,877 medical reasons
* 1,471 religious reasons
* 9,834 other reasons.
2003-04 school year, 17,708 waivers:
* 5,112 medical reasons
* 1,648 religious reasons
* 10,948 other reasons
http://portage.scwn.com/articles/2004/11/08/news/news2.txt
"He estimated that 3 percent of all children across Wisconsin have their vaccinations waived, although the number has increased over the past 10 years. "We watch the number very carefully," he said. If the state got to a point where 5 or 6 percent of children had a waiver at their schools, Saari said the state health office would look at eliminating the personal exemption."
Immunization Exemptions
AFFIDAVIT for Colorado Newborn.doc (11509) AFFIDAVIT for Colorado Newborn birth exemption from immunizations, shots and tests
http://web.archive.org/web/20041009204119/http://forums.cloud-busters.com/files.cfm?fuseaction=files&profileusersname=messiahmews&briefcasefileidlink=11509
Alabama exemption letter.doc (5227) Alabama Religious Exemption Letter to health dept to obtain the Alabama Certificate of Relgious Exemption.
http://web.archive.org/web/20041009204119/http://forums.cloud-busters.com/files.cfm?fuseaction=files&profileusersname=messiahmews&briefcasefileidlink=5227
certificate-religious-exemption-phys-exam.pdf (10989) certificate-religious-exemption-phys-exam. Religious Exemption from Physical Exams.
http://web.archive.org/web/20041009204119/http://forums.cloud-busters.com/files.cfm?fuseaction=files&profileusersname=messiahmews&briefcasefileidlink=10989
cfrm_acir_contraindication.pdf (11510) Vaccine Exemption due to Medical Contraindication
http://web.archive.org/web/20041009204119/http://forums.cloud-busters.com/files.cfm?fuseaction=files&profileusersname=messiahmews&briefcasefileidlink=11510
Colorado Exemption Form part of immunization table only.doc (11506) Colorado Exemption Form part of immunization exemption table only.doc
http://web.archive.org/web/20041009204119/http://forums.cloud-busters.com/files.cfm?fuseaction=files&profileusersname=messiahmews&briefcasefileidlink=11506
Colorado Religious Exemption Statement for newborns.doc (11507) Colorado Religious Exemption Statement for newborns.doc
http://web.archive.org/web/20041009204119/http://forums.cloud-busters.com/files.cfm?fuseaction=files&profileusersname=messiahmews&briefcasefileidlink=11507
Colorado Religious Exemption Statement.doc (11508) Colorado Religious Exemption Statement
http://web.archive.org/web/20041009204119/http://forums.cloud-busters.com/files.cfm?fuseaction=files&profileusersname=messiahmews&briefcasefileidlink=11508
ExemptionVacLib-Arizona.doc (11428) Exemption VacLib-Arizona. An immunization exemption form for Arizona
http://web.archive.org/web/20041009204119/http://forums.cloud-busters.com/files.cfm?fuseaction=files&profileusersname=messiahmews&briefcasefileidlink=11428
ExemptionVacLib-DC.doc (5224) Vac Lib's District of Columbia Religious Exemption Statement
http://web.archive.org/web/20041009204119/http://forums.cloud-busters.com/files.cfm?fuseaction=files&profileusersname=messiahmews&briefcasefileidlink=5224
ExemptionVacLib-Georgia.doc (5222) Vaccination Exemption Statement for Georgia
http://web.archive.org/web/20041009204119/http://forums.cloud-busters.com/files.cfm?fuseaction=files&profileusersname=messiahmews&briefcasefileidlink=5222
ExemptionVacLib-Indiana.doc (5182) Exemption VacLib Indiana
http://web.archive.org/web/20041009204119/http://forums.cloud-busters.com/files.cfm?fuseaction=files&profileusersname=messiahmews&briefcasefileidlink=5182
ExemptionVacLib-Kentucky.doc (10983) Vac Lib religious exemption statement for Kentucky. May turn in to health dept. to get the official Certificate of Religious Exemption
http://web.archive.org/web/20041009204119/http://forums.cloud-busters.com/files.cfm?fuseaction=files&profileusersname=messiahmews&briefcasefileidlink=10983
ExemptionVacLib-Maryland.doc (11429) Exemption VacLib-Maryland. An immunization exemption form for Maryland
http://web.archive.org/web/20041009204119/http://forums.cloud-busters.com/files.cfm?fuseaction=files&profileusersname=messiahmews&briefcasefileidlink=11429
ExemptionVacLib-Nevada.doc (5181) Vac Lib's exemption for Nevada
http://web.archive.org/web/20041009204119/http://forums.cloud-busters.com/files.cfm?fuseaction=files&profileusersname=messiahmews&briefcasefileidlink=5181
ExemptionVacLib-SD.doc (10984) Vaccination Exemption Statement for South Dakota
http://web.archive.org/web/20041009204119/http://forums.cloud-busters.com/files.cfm?fuseaction=files&profileusersname=messiahmews&briefcasefileidlink=10984
ExemptionVacLib-Vermont.doc (10981) Immunization Exemption for Vermont --ExemptionVacLib-Vermont.doc
http://web.archive.org/web/20041009204119/http://forums.cloud-busters.com/files.cfm?fuseaction=files&profileusersname=messiahmews&briefcasefileidlink=10981
ExemptionVacLib-Washington.doc (11439) ExemptionVacLib-Washington.doc
http://web.archive.org/web/20041009204119/http://forums.cloud-busters.com/files.cfm?fuseaction=files&profileusersname=messiahmews&briefcasefileidlink=11439
ExemptionVacLibWisconsin.doc (5239) Vac Lib's exemption statement for Wisconsin
http://web.archive.org/web/20041009204119/http://forums.cloud-busters.com/files.cfm?fuseaction=files&profileusersname=messiahmews&briefcasefileidlink=5239
Immunization GA education.doc (11412) Immunization Exemption for Higher Education in Georgia
http://web.archive.org/web/20041009204119/http://forums.cloud-busters.com/files.cfm?fuseaction=files&profileusersname=messiahmews&briefcasefileidlink=11412
Immunization GA employment.doc (5187) Religious exemption for GA employees
http://web.archive.org/web/20041009204119/http://forums.cloud-busters.com/files.cfm?fuseaction=files&profileusersname=messiahmews&briefcasefileidlink=5187
Immunizations OR child.doc (5186) Religious exemption for school children for Oregon
http://web.archive.org/web/20041009204119/http://forums.cloud-busters.com/files.cfm?fuseaction=files&profileusersname=messiahmews&briefcasefileidlink=5186
Immunizations OR Employment.doc (5185) Religious exemption letter from Immunizations in Oregon
http://web.archive.org/web/20041009204119/http://forums.cloud-busters.com/files.cfm?fuseaction=files&profileusersname=messiahmews&briefcasefileidlink=5185
JLCB-IMMUNI~4.DOC (11002) Maine School District MSAD #55 official exemption form for Hiram, Maine 04041 area. School District - M.S.A.D #55 District
http://web.archive.org/web/20041009204119/http://forums.cloud-busters.com/files.cfm?fuseaction=files&profileusersname=messiahmews&briefcasefileidlink=11002
Louisiana statement of exemption.doc (5228) Louisiana Statement of Exemption - Philosophical
http://web.archive.org/web/20041009204119/http://forums.cloud-busters.com/files.cfm?fuseaction=files&profileusersname=messiahmews&briefcasefileidlink=5228
messiahmews.gif (11573) avatar pic
MN Immunization_Exemption statement.pdf (11003) Minnesota Immunization_Exemption statement
http://web.archive.org/web/20041009204119/http://forums.cloud-busters.com/files.cfm?fuseaction=files&profileusersname=messiahmews&briefcasefileidlink=11003
Model letter for hospital births 2.doc (11426) Model Birth Plan Letter for Hospital Births. This one is more detailed. You can attach an exemption from immunizations. In some states, there are religious exemptions from newborn screening tests suck as PKU, etc...
http://web.archive.org/web/20041009204119/http://forums.cloud-busters.com/files.cfm?fuseaction=files&profileusersname=messiahmews&briefcasefileidlink=11426
Model letter for hospital births for adoptions -- Dear Doctor and Medical Staff.doc (11427) Model Birth Plan Letter for Hospital Births for an adopted child.
http://web.archive.org/web/20041009204119/http://forums.cloud-busters.com/files.cfm?fuseaction=files&profileusersname=messiahmews&briefcasefileidlink=11427
Model letter for hospital births.doc (11425) Model Birth Plan Letter for Hospital Births. You can attach an exemption from immunizations. In some states, there are religious exemptions from newborn screening tests suck as PKU, etc...
http://web.archive.org/web/20041009204119/http://forums.cloud-busters.com/files.cfm?fuseaction=files&profileusersname=messiahmews&briefcasefileidlink=11425
NH CERTIFICATE OF RELIGIOUS EXEMPTION-IMMUNIZATIONS.pdf (10988) New Hampshire Certificate of Religious Exemption. It can also be used for school children. Also download the letter to turn in along with it. The bureaucrats may try to refuse the exemption form, but the letter says it's used for other than child care program.
http://web.archive.org/web/20041009204119/http://forums.cloud-busters.com/files.cfm?fuseaction=files&profileusersname=messiahmews&briefcasefileidlink=10988
North Carolina Adult Religious Exemption from Attorney.doc (11438) North Carolina Adult Religious Exemption from Attorney.doc
http://web.archive.org/web/20041009204119/http://forums.cloud-busters.com/files.cfm?fuseaction=files&profileusersname=messiahmews&briefcasefileidlink=11438
North Carolina religious exemption letter.doc (11436) North Carolina religious exemption letter.doc
http://web.archive.org/web/20041009204119/http://forums.cloud-busters.com/files.cfm?fuseaction=files&profileusersname=messiahmews&briefcasefileidlink=11436
North Carolina Religious Exemption Statement.doc (11437) North Carolina Religious Exemption Statement.doc
http://web.archive.org/web/20041009204119/http://forums.cloud-busters.com/files.cfm?fuseaction=files&profileusersname=messiahmews&briefcasefileidlink=11437
Pennsylvania Hep B exemption letter.doc (10985) PA Hepatitis B vaccine exemption letter
http://web.archive.org/web/20041009204119/http://forums.cloud-busters.com/files.cfm?fuseaction=files&profileusersname=messiahmews&briefcasefileidlink=10985
Pennsylvania Religious Exemption Letter.doc (10986) PA Religious Exemption Letter for all vaccines
http://web.archive.org/web/20041009204119/http://forums.cloud-busters.com/files.cfm?fuseaction=files&profileusersname=messiahmews&briefcasefileidlink=10986
Request for Conscientious Exemption for Texas.doc (6323) Request for New TX exemption
http://web.archive.org/web/20041009204119/http://forums.cloud-busters.com/files.cfm?fuseaction=files&profileusersname=messiahmews&briefcasefileidlink=6323
South Carolina Exemption Letter to health dept.doc (5183) South Carolina exemption letter to Health Dept. Obtain the SC Certificate of Religious Exemption
http://web.archive.org/web/20041009204119/http://forums.cloud-busters.com/files.cfm?fuseaction=files&profileusersname=messiahmews&briefcasefileidlink=5183
Statement Of Religious Objection To Immunization in Pennsylvania.doc (10987) Statement Of Religious Objection To Immunization in Pennsylvania.doc (with scriptures)
http://web.archive.org/web/20041009204119/http://forums.cloud-busters.com/files.cfm?fuseaction=files&profileusersname=messiahmews&briefcasefileidlink=10987
Tennessee religious exemption letter.doc (5226) Tennessee Religious Exemption Letter. In some districts, you may be required to turn this in to the health dept to get the Official Tennesse Certificate of Religious Exemption. It's a green form.
http://web.archive.org/web/20041009204119/http://forums.cloud-busters.com/files.cfm?fuseaction=files&profileusersname=messiahmews&briefcasefileidlink=5226
WebmailCertRelExemp.doc (5189) Letter of explanation to go with the NH Certificate of Religious Exemption. The exemption says child care, but this letter from the NH Dept of Health says it's for school too. Use this letter along with the NH Religious Exemption.
http://web.archive.org/web/20041009204119/http://forums.cloud-busters.com/files.cfm?fuseaction=files&profileusersname=messiahmews&briefcasefileidlink=5189
This is an exemption letter for immunizations taken from the internet. It revolves around the Catholic Church... 11-4-98
Please be informed that we are requesting a religious exemption from vaccinating our children [names].
Our legal rights are guaranteed by the free exercise clause of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Recent court decisions have upheld the rights of individuals seeking exemptions from immunizations based upon personal and religious reasons. On the U.S. Supreme Court level in Frazee V. Illinois Dept. of Security, 489 U.S. 829, it was found that a state may not deny an exemption simply because a person is not a member of a formal religious organization.
In addition, the Supreme Court in Fowler v. Rhode Island, 345 U.S. 67 (1953) held that it was "no business of the courts to say what is a religious practice or activity for one individual is not religion under the protection of the First Amendment."
Furthermore, in United States v. Ballad, 322 U.S. 78 (1944) the court ruled that religious teachings could not be prosecuted for fraud. The beliefs of one person may seem preposterous to another, but religious liberty demands the widest toleration of conflicting views.
We believe the Roman Catholic Church also guarantees our rights as stated in the Catechism of the Catholic Church page 552, section 2295.
"Research or experimentation on the human being cannot legitimate acts that are in themselves contrary to the dignity of persons and to the moral law. The subjects' potential consent does not justify such acts. Experimentation on human beings is not morally legitimate if it exposes the subject's life or physical and psychological integrity to disproportionate or avoidable risks. Experimentation on human beings does not conform to the dignity of the person if it takes place without the informed consent of the subject or those who legitimately speak for him."
I have taken one paragraph from an article written in the Catholic Twin
Circle by Kristine M. Severyn RPh, PhD on vaccinations as experimentation: "Hep B vaccine policy illustrates the government's use of all children as medical research guinea pigs.
Babies and pre-adolescents are targeted for hepatitis B vaccination because, according to the CDC, "efforts to vaccinate persons in the major risk groups
Promiscuous homosexuals, heterosexuals, and intravenous drug abusers) have had limited success."
The CDC emphasizes that "it will take 20 to 30 years of routine infant and pre-teen hepatitis B vaccination to determine if the campaign actually results in decreased incidence of disease."
After vaccinations, each of the children have had slight reactions, resulting in ear infections and rashes. However, it wasn't until our seventh child had more severe reaction did we decide to do research.
Particularly disturbing information revealed was the making of these vaccinations, especially the rubella and chicken pox vaccine. The rubella and chickenpox vaccine are grown in aborted fetal tissue. Other vaccines are grown in animal tissues that would be injected with animal proteins, RNA, DNA, and other blood fractions.
There is definitive research that suggest that injecting or ingesting such vaccines is extremely dangerous.
If you feel that our children would pose a serious risk to other children by not receiving vaccinations required to be in school, then please notify us at your convenience and we will remove them and make other arrangements.
Sincerely,
Signed
¢ Father ______________________________
¢ Mother ______________________________
Schools Lie to Parents and Children, Say Vaccinations are Mandatory
Alex Jones | July 27, 2005
Summer is coming to a close and public schools all over the country are re-opening to welcome students back into classrooms, but not before they have gotten their shots. Schools everywhere tell parents that their children are must have some nearly 40 vaccines before they can "legally" be permitted to attend school.
This is all a lie.
There has never been a law that one has to be vaccinated to attend public schools. School districts across the country have policies that have been deceptively concocted by the Federal government to
appear to reflect the law but these policies merely reflect the color of the law. They are frauds.
For the last three years, the country marks mid-summer by the start of an ominous drumbeat: Announcements reminding parents to vaccinate their children are on the radio and plastered across the front pages of newspapers. They festoon public parks and swimming pools.
In Austin, Texas alone, there are dozens of television reports telling you of "free vaccination clinics in public parks and gymnasiums," warning you that your children must be vaccinated or you could be arrested.
Five years ago, the public was not subjected to this propaganda bombardment because only five years ago, 95 percent of the country was vaccinating their children. Today, that number has fallen to 65 percent, and the bottom is nowhere in sight.
People have gotten wise to the fact that vaccines are contaminated with DNA fragments, viruses, fungus, mercury, and a cocktail of other poisonous toxins. Fleets of reputable studies have been published globally detailing the wide swaths of destruction caused by vaccines. So, now the establishment is on the offensive, attempting to bully us into submission. Big Pharma is one of the biggest businesses in the world. It is among the top three purchasers of advertisement in print, TV and radio, and has major pull.
You do not have to vaccinate your children.
You do not even have to get the affidavit. The schools have just been trained via color of law that they are "required" to demand it. In the 2003 legislative session in Texas, we were forced to get a law
passed stating that it is illegal for health departments to claim that it's the law that you must have a vaccination in order to attend school.
All over the country, the propaganda is identical. Here is Austin they've even run newscasts saying mercury is good for children. There seems to be no end to the brazen fabrications we are subjected to. It's time to get angry, to spread the word and demand retractions from your local media. The bottom line is that it is illegal for government representatives to traffic in false information and to
tell citizens that they are breaking the law when they are not. It's called coercion. It's called official oppression. It's called racketeering. And above all it's called tyranny.
http://www.infowars.org/articles/science/vaccines_
schools_lie_to_parents_vaccines_manditory.htm
Producer:
Janna Owen
Contact
jowen@wsvn.com
WSVN -- April Renee: "She was born June 3rd, 1995 perfect 8 pounds 9 ounces."
April Renee called her daughter Casi her angel. April Renee: "I walked into her room every morning singing you are my sunshine my only sunshine, she was my life." Casi was developing normally saying, mama and dada, but then her mom noticed something wasn't right. She says the change happened right after her second round of vaccinations. April Renee: "At 15-months she wasn't going from a lying to a sitting position, we knew something was wrong with her."
Casi never spoke again, she was labeled autistic. At the age of four, she developed bacterial meningitis, which eventually led to her death. Her mother blames the vaccines for poisoning her system. April Renee: "We all have the right to know what we're injecting into our newborn babies." Lynn Martinez: "Vaccines have been at the center of controversy for years. Many parents believe that a mercury-based preservative called thermerisol now banned from the market caused neurological problems in children. But a recent study by the Centers for Disease Control found no link between vaccines and autism."
Dr. Anne Schuchat: "We don't know all that we want to know about the safety of vaccines. However, the issue of autism has really been looked at extensively and there's no association between vaccines we're giving out and autism." Yet, some parents are not convinced. Craig Kaler decided not to vaccinate his 11-month old daughter Chloe. Craig Kaler: "We've actually weighed the benefit versus risk and the potential side effects from the vaccines could damage her for life." And he's not alone, there's a growing trend nationwide among parents not to vaccinate. In Florida, you can file a religious or medical exemption and your children will still be allowed in schools even though they're not vaccinated. According to Miami-Dade County Public School records, nearly 3,000 students were granted exemptions for the 2007 school year. That number has nearly doubled since the year 2000.
In Broward County, the number of students granted exemptions this year 16-hundred and 86. Pediatrician Linda Colon-Adames says that's a sign more parents are speaking up and questioning the mandatory vaccines. She says, some parents ask her to space out the shots instead of giving them all at once fearing it may be too much on such a fragile new system. Dr. Linda Colon-Adames: "You're talking about seven vaccines on a brand new immune system, brand new neurological system, brand new baby and maybe we need to reconsider how we're doing things." But pediatrician Manuel Pedroso says, he advises his patients to follow the vaccination guidelines. Dr. Manuel Pedroso: "We need to balance the minor side effects you can get from vaccines in comparison with the effects of having the illness which can be life long." But for April, there are still too many questions. That's why she started an organization called Educate Before You Vaccinate. She says she wants to help parents make informed decisions about vaccinations.
April Renee: "For everyone to learn from my mistakes and educate before they vaccinate." Lynn Martinez: "Doctors are concerned about potential outbreaks if more children are attending school without their vaccinations. Even children who received their shots could be at risk because no vaccine prevents disease
100 percent.
VIC - Vaccine Injury Coalition
Autism is 1 in 150 children today and it's impossible to have a genetic epidemic!
Please learn from our mistake and educate BEFORE you vaccinate!
For more information visit www.vacinfo.org or email VIC@vacinfo.org
More Parents Send Children To School Without Vaccinations
Team 5 Investigates Obtains New Report Showing Rise In Religious Exemptions
POSTED: 3:57 pm EDT July 15, 2008
UPDATED: 11:48 am EDT July 16, 2008
http://www.thebostonchannel.com/asseenon5/16891131/detail.html
BOSTON -- Countless medical studies and the federal government say it clearly: There is NO connection between childhood vaccinations and autism.
But Team 5 Investigates learned that once again, the number of Massachusetts parents choosing not to vaccinate their children is up.
Dr. Tim Johnson Discusses Report
In the pediatrics office at Newton-Wellesley Hospital, every parent of young children has heard about the vaccine debate. "You just want to do what you think is best for your children," said mother Amy Luoto. For a small but growing number of parents, that means avoiding immunization.
Team 5 Investigates learned that while the number of medical exemptions has declined, the number of parents who claim vaccines violate their religious beliefs more than doubled in the past decade --- from 221 in 1997 to more than 500 last year, even as the total number of kindergartners has actually declined.
Levatin admits most of her patients are not members of a religion that prohibits vaccines.
"The vaccination law in Massachusetts is a non-sectarian clause," she said. "You don't have to be a member of any particular religion and you don't actually have to state what your religion is to school or other authorities, according to the law."
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!I thought I would share my experience this week with Andrew's school. Monday, around lunchtime, I ran in to a store to grab some votive candles. I was in the store for less than 5 minutes. I come back out and my cell phone is buzzing. I have three messages. The first one is from a woman at the Health Department. She says her name, she needs to talk to me immediately about my son, Andrew . The next message is from Moore County Schools, the person needs to speak with me immediately about my son. The school nurse is the third call needing me immediately. I get in my car and start driving to the school. My heart is pounding. I'm dialing these people back, NO one is at their desk, yet they had just called me minutes before. I call the school and ask the secretary if Andrew is okay or if something has horribly gone wrong. She said Andrew was sitting in the office and to hold on. The school nurse gets on the phone. She tells me that some child in Andrew's class has whooping cough. Andrew is "undervaccinated" and he has to be out of school for 21days. He has to leave the premises immediately. I said I would be right there. By the time I get there, the head person for Moore County Schools is also at the school. Andrew is sitting in the office. We go into another room. They start questioning me about Andrew's vaccinations, why didn't he get his boosters at kindergarten. I told them we had a religious exemption and if she had any further questions, she could ask my attorney. She goes on to say that we are putting other children at risk by not vaccinating Andrew. I asked if the child that had whooping cough had been vaccinated and she said "yes". She says that there has been an "outbreak" of whooping cough in Moore County (I think right now it is less than 10). I asked if all the children that have come down with whooping cough are vaccinated, and again, she said "yes". So, I asked if all the other children in Andrew's class would have to go home for 21 days, since the vaccinated children seemed to be at risk as well. You know the answer...no, because they got their shots. The woman with Moore County Schools says they were seeing the "outbreak" happening with mostly 5th graders, so that must have been a bad batch that year. They put me on the phone with the woman at the Health Department. She explains to me when there is an outbreak or epidemic, they have jurisdiction over Moore County Schools. Andrew would have to be out of school for 21 days. She wanted to know what pharmacy we used, because she was calling in an antibiotic for Andrew that he was to start immediately. I said she would not be calling in an antibiotic, she was not his doctor, he is highly allergic to two antibiotics and I would take him to his pediatrician. She informs me that his ped needed to follow the guidelines set forth by the CDC and the AAP. In addition, if Andrew started the antibiotic, he still would not be allowed to return to school for 21 days. At this point, I want to scream. The Moore County School person says to me that she understands my "theory" of not wanting to vaccinate Andrew. I saw colors in my head. I leaned across the desk and my hands were clenched. I kept thinking..."don't hit her." I said, "Theory? I watched Andrew start screaming, breaking out in a105 fever, rash all over his body two days after his 18 month DTaP shot. We took him to the hospital. No one knew what was wrong. He then lost all his words, quit looking at us and the lights went out in his eyes. Theory? I watched it happen. Don't talk to me about theory. I've spent every day since then fighting, scratching and clawing to get my son back from that hell hole that he slipped in to." The woman was stunned. I wanted to scream, throw myself on the floor and kick anything that got in the way. There's something to be said about throwing a temper tantrum for cleansing purposes. So, here's the kicker. The child that has whooping cough actually had been diagnosed a week ago Wednesday. (His mother sent him right back to school. You can't fix stupid) His doctor had put him on an antibiotic for 5 days, after which you aren't contagious anymore. He was at school every day last week, plus Monday and Tuesday of this week. HE NEVER MISSED A DAY OF SCHOOL and won't. My son, doesn't have it at all, and isn't allowed to come back for 21 days. What I am most pissed about is that the school nurse went down to the lunchroom, pulled Andrew out in front of all the kids, took him down to the music room and told him because he didn't have all his shots, he would have to miss 21 days of school. She marched him down to his room, got his book bag from the sidewalk, and then marched him back down to the office where he stayed until we left. He was treated like he WAS the virus. He isn't sick. He had sat in a room with the child for weeks while he was contagious. Would two more hours have made a difference? Couldn't he have finished the day and not be drug out of the lunchroom. Andrew was so upset...he wanted to stay and take his spelling test. He will also miss his Christmas program. Just in case any of this happens to you all, you might want to be aware of what our friends at the CDC and Health Department are doing. Our pediatrician felt like he was being made an example of because he didn't have his kindergarten boosters. The incubation period is 5-10days for whooping cough. In some rare instances, it has been as much as 21 days. AND, taking an antibiotic won't keep you from getting whooping cough, it will only make you non contagious after you comedown with the symptoms. I have the prescription, and should he comedown with symptoms, then I will give him the antibiotic. The reason no one was at their desk was because they were setting up crisis phone banks. PHONE BANKS. For one child at our school. I told the woman that the only thing I saw there was an outbreak of was hysteria and stupidity. I don't think she'll be sending me a Christmas card.I hope you all have a very happy holiday. I am thankful Andrew does not have whooping cough and that he is undervaccinated, he's talking and arguing with me like a 5th grader, he looks at me in the eye when he's arguing with me and he is just the love of our lives. We are blessed. Happy Thanksgiving,Betsy mother to Andrew, 11 and undervaccinated
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