Questions about Vaccinating

Several friends have either asked me for themselves, or for another friend of theirs, questions regarding life of not vaccinating kids. So this information is what I have found helpful that might be beneficial for some of you, or to pass along to your friends.

Vaccinations and Hospital births:
Read the admittance paperwork carefully, or if you're in labor, have your partner! Talk about what you want to do before hand regarding Hep B shot, Vitamin K shot, and even the Eurythromycin eye ointment. All of it is able to be refused if that is your choice. In every state.

Finding a pediatrician:
Remember they are employed by you, not the other way around, so assert your parental authority and feel free to shop around, don't feel like you have to stay with one that doesn't work for your choices. Interview a few of them before you schedule your child for check ups. A few questions I asked when meeting with them were things like "After a lot of research, we feel the best choice is to exempt our child from the recommended vaccine schedules, will you still treat our child for any illness they may encounter, and well child visits? Do you have other patients who do not vaccinate for different reasons?" If the doctor says "It's my opinion that vaccines are necessary, and you are putting your child at risk..." or anything like that, then they will not be supportive in any circumstance that you wish medicinal intervention for an illness or may become pushy for vaccines at each well child visit you do.

Or you could just cold call and schedule an appointment at a pediatrician that a friend recommends. When calling, just simply state that you need to make a new patient appointment for your child, don't ask them any questions at that point. If *they* ask any questions about vaccinations or immunization records, simply state "my child is exempt." And they usually proceed with the next question to schedule the appointment. A doctor's office is not allowed to discriminate or terminate patient relationship based on vaccination status if the laws are complied by. However, many do encourage their scheduling staff to discourage the caller trying to set up a new patient appointment. So it's best to shoot straight, get to the appointment information, or they will tell you upfront they are not accepting any new patients in general. Don't bring up anything controversial until you have an actual appointment with a Doctor, not the telephone staff.

Look for a naturopathic doctor (N.D. instead of M.D.) they are more familiar with other means of prevention besides vaccines, and other methods of treatment besides prescriptions, so they are logically more inclined to be supportive of that lifestyle rather than just tolerant.

Also, a Chiropractor has the same hours of education as an AAP Pediatrician and more in some subjects. So for childhood growth and development, they are also a good advocate to see to your child at different stages.

Filing an exemption:
Every state offers a medical exemption, filed with your doctor and some states require them to be filed with the Health Department as well. These are for adverse reactions to a vaccine, not for the elective choice to not do the vaccine schedule. Most states also allows a religious exemption. Only 22 states allow a Philosophical- which is basically saying "This is what I feel is best" kind of exemption. Click HERE to find out which state exemptions are allowed in your state.

Public schools must allow attendance of any child who is current with either an exemption or a vaccine record. Private schools, and day cares are allowed to discriminate or refuse to allow enrollment. I have found for my experience that a *Religious exemption* has been met with less of a battle than I had expected otherwise. Here is an example of a letter that was given to our children's schools as per the NC State requirement for a Religious exemption. Here is a more detailed example of religious points of view to consider, but in my opinion, simple is best.

This website has a plethora of information regarding headlines of recent vaccines, ingredients, studies, and so much more if you're interested in researching for yourself this decision.


Also, the old saying "It's better to ask forgiveness than permission" applies here too. Don't bring it up in the beginning of any introductory setting other than pedatrician interviews. If you wish to enroll your child in a preschool, public school, daycare, or private school, just go through the process as any other parent would. When asked for immunization records, your record is an exemption form or letter, which ever is required for your state and selected exemption. There is no difference for you in that process. If the facility is not familiar with this issue from other families going before you, they may ask more questions. But generally, if you are non confrontational about it, and supply the proper information when needed, also being confident in your lifestyle and knowledge, you'll find a smoother process of functioning within main stream.