Minutus

My children, ages 3 and 5 are under homeopathic
treatment and have been for the past year and a half.
They are not "finished" yet and both have "issues"
which persist which we are still working on. I
*regretfully* began vaccines with them when they were
babies. However, as of a year and a half ago I began
stalling with the nurse practitioner at the
pediatrician's office regarding vaccines that they are
scheduled to get. She has been relatively patient
about my choice to forego them, though I only schedule
appointments with her, not the doctors. Here's the
problem: the preschool is once again asking for an
updated medical form which means I need another
pediatric appt for my boys. I am nervous that they
are going to start pressuring me (or worse?---drop us
as patients? what will they do?) about it much more
strongly now that I'm not wanting them again.
I've heard about the Religious Exemption form which is
legal here in Virginia, but am I going to get problems
trying to use that since (a) the kids have already had
some, and (b) we are Muslim and they know that we are
(Islam does not prohibit vaccines---or at least not
that I'm aware)
Can anyone help me think this through? Thanks!
Gretta
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Hi Gretta,
Does Virginia allow exemption for "personal belief", or would you have
to go the religious route?

As far as the nurse etc. pressuring you, I would bet that if you get
clear on your decision, they would not fight you on it. BUT they would
feel obligated to continue to "inform" you of their beliefs (mine still
do this, and they keep hoping, but they don't push), and if they have
any feeling that you have any uncertainty, they will feel obliged to
exert more of a "presence", as they--almost certainly--truly believe
that vaccinations are in your children's best interests. But once
*they* understand that you truly believe they are not, and have chosen
to forego, they should not be applying any pressure.

Re your school, do you know what the legal requirement is? Where we
used to live (California), my daughter's public school had signs
posted everywhere saying that "Your child must" be "fully" vaccinated
before entering school--but in fact California did(does) have a
"personal beliefs" exemption, so basically the signs were a lie. OTOH
one private preschool that I tried to put my son in, had a policy not
to accept any unvaccinated child, and a private school apparently has
the right to "refuse any child, for any reason", so we simply found
another preschool, which would take him "as is".
Shannon

Hi Gretta
#1 - people often stop going to peds as you will have harrassment for the rest of their childhood

#2
Don't give her credit for being patient - you employ her and you choose what you want for your children, not her

#3You don't have to talk about what religion you are
The law doesn't ask for that in Virginia
You just use their law wording and word your statement exactly the same way
Don't fill anything out about previous immunizations

This is the wording of the law - http://www.nvic.org/state-site/Virginia.htm
Quick Fact:

If the student or his parent or guardian submits an affidavit to the admitting official stating that the administration of immunizing agents conflicts with the student's religious tenets or practices, the student will be exempt"
So you just make a statement that says "administration of immunizing agents conflicts with the student's religious tenets or practices".

PERIOD - that is it - you don't explain, you don't tell your religion. Nothing. They have no right to ask

Attach a copy of the law which also helps
Very easy. If you mention previous vaccinations they will question - but you can always say that is your religious practice now.

But if you leave it blank where they ask you to list vaccinations, then you will have less difficulty
And reconsider whether you need a ped - many now just go to their homeopath, naturopath, chiropractor etc. Or many find family practice doctors who aren't so rigid.
Sheri Nakken

My children, ages 3 and 5 are under homeopathic
treatment and have been for the past year and a half.
They are not "finished" yet and both have "issues"
which persist which we are still working on. I
*regretfully* began vaccines with them when they were
babies. However, as of a year and a half ago I began
stalling with the nurse practitioner at the
pediatrician's office regarding vaccines that they are
scheduled to get. She has been relatively patient
about my choice to forego them, though I only schedule
appointments with her, not the doctors. Here's the
problem: the preschool is once again asking for an
updated medical form which means I need another
pediatric appt for my boys. I am nervous that they
are going to start pressuring me (or worse?---drop us
as patients? what will they do?) about it much more
strongly now that I'm not wanting them again.
I've heard about the Religious Exemption form which is
legal here in Virginia, but am I going to get problems
trying to use that since (a) the kids have already had
some, and (b) we are Muslim and they know that we are
(Islam does not prohibit vaccines---or at least not
that I'm aware)
Can anyone help me think this through? Thanks!
Gretta