There are a variety of questions that come up over and over again in the Vaccine Choice workshops. This FAQ sheet is designed to help answer some of those questions.

Q: If I refuse immunizations, can my child still attend school or day care?

A: Yes. There are immunization exemptions in every state which allow parents to choose where or not to have their children immunized. What is required is that the parent follow the law in their state when using an exemption. That may mean wording their own letter to the school or day care following the pattern of the exemption law or getting a pre-printed letter, if the school or day care has one.

As long as the parent follows the directives contained in the law, the school or day care cannot refuse to allow the child to attend if they receive any state or federal money. The parent may need to insist that their rights are protected if there is a conflict, but the weight of the law is on the side of the parent. The parent should also be aware that, in the event of disease outbreak, the school may insist that their child remain at home until the outbreak is over.

 

Q: Can Child Protective Services remove my child for non-immunized status?

A: Not if you have followed the law in obtaining your exemption. Medical neglect can only be proven if you refuse to do anything. In taking the time to inform yourself or the risks and benefits of both the disease and the vaccine, taking the time to learn about the requirements of the exemption and following through in obtaining the exemption, you have demonstrated that you are not being negligent, but rather informed.

Q: Can my doctor refuse to treat my child if we don't immunize?

A: If the immediate concern is an emergency situation, he or she cannot abandon care. However, in a non-emergency situation, some doctors have refused to continue care.

You can try to reason with your doctor, but many parents feel they would rather have a supportive doctor than one who is not. You may want to call around and ask if your exemption status will be a problem when choosing a doctor. You may also check with some of the local alternative practitioners, midwives, LaLeche or homeschool groups and health food stores to get a good recommendation.

 

Q: What are the requirements if we are leaving the country?

A: There are no immunization requirements for leaving or entering the country, only recommendations. You may run into some well-meaning officials who will try to talk you into getting some immunizations if you are entering a country where some diseases are endemic. However, you are not required to take their advice.

If you do choose to take certain immunizations prior to leaving the country, you need to do so in plenty of time to ensure that your immune system has time to recover. Various studies have shown that vaccinations depress the immune system for up to two months, so you will want to give yourself at least that much time to recover.

 

Q: What about military exemption status?

A: For more on this issue, please see the immunization page on Vaccines and the Military.

Q: Can we selectively immunize with a philosophical or religious exemption?

A: Yes, depending on what your reasoning for exemption is. You may choose to refuse those immunizations which contain certain chemicals, use aborted babies in the process, or for which you feel that your risk is very low. That would leave you the option to choose to receive others.

Some families do choose selective immunization. They may only do tetanus if they are concerned about wound care. They may choose to only immunize against diseases they feel present a significant risk, especially if traveling to a country where some diseases are endemic and sanitation conditions are low. Or, they may choose to use the exemption and wait until the child's immune system is older and more likely to be able to handle the assault.

Q: If our child has a bad reaction to a vaccine, what can we do?

A: If your health care provider will not fill out an Adverse Events Report, you can! Report forms are found in the Physician's Desk Reference or on the VAERS site. Be sure to fill out the most serious reactions first, rather than in chronological order. The VAERS form includes instructions and a postage-paid mailer. If you are not sure how to fill out the form, be sure to request help.

Q: How can we convince our family we aren't crazy?

A: You may never be able to completely allay their fears. As more and more information on risks comes out, though, you may be able to provide plenty of documentation to backup your decision. You may want to help them understand by giving them some of the information that helped you decide, if they are open to looking at it. Otherwise, you may just have to agree to disagree.

Return to Home Page