About 15 years ago, my mom had to get the Hep B vaccination because her job at the time required that she spend some time in the hospital treating patients. When she was given the first dose, she experienced pseudo paralysis at the injection site and prolonged (as in 3 weeks or more) flu-like symptoms. Her symptoms were so severe that she was not required to get the booster. Mostly because of her reaction, I decided to NOT vaccinate my kids against Hep B. I also feel that my kids are not at risk for Hep B: they are not sexually active, they are not intravenous drug users, and they are not in day care. My kids have received all of their other required immunizations. Last year, my aunt (on my father's side) was also required to get the Hep B vaccination for her job. She experienced the same symptoms that my mother did, but additionally, she had respiratory problems. Her reaction absolutely confirmed to me that I would never, ever vaccinate my kids from Hep B. To me, it is not worth the risk. Also, I cannot find any solid proof that the vaccine is still effective into the teenage years- to me, that is when they might actually be at risk!
So here is my problem: I have a son going into kindergarten in the fall and one of the required vaccinations is hep B. They have a waiver form, but I have to get a physician's signature. I have been in contact with our pediatrician and no one in the practice will sign it. Obviously, I am pulling my kids out of this practice and I already have a call into another doctor's office about switching and having him sign off on it. I just feel like I am being bullied by both my current doctor's office and the school district into doing something that I don't want to do for MY son. Does anyone have any experience with this? Any advice on how to proceed- especially if the other doctor does not come through? I just don't think that I can be forced to immunize my son legally. TIA.
@Dawn, we go to a large practice and I did tell the nurse that returned my call that my kids would not be coming back. I doubt they care. I did talk to the enrollment office about this and told them that my son has all other immunizations, but that didn't seem to make a difference.
@Bug, yes, I do live in Ohio. Thanks for the links- the waiver I have is identical to one of the "Ohio Revised Code, etc, etc" and the doctor will not sign off on it.
@Luvmyboyz- I am seriously considering going the religious waiver route. It seems a lot easier! Thanks!
@Grammarocks- I don't want to homeschool my kids. I bought a house in a district with excellent public schools for a reason. I have very much been bullied by every single health care worker I have ever encountered regarding this issue- from the L&D nurse to the 2 pediatricians I have already gone through.
If you still need a Dr. and are willing to drive 20 minutes-I know a Dr. who believes vaccines are a parents decision.
PM me if you want his name and number.
:)
First of all, this is a state-by-state issue. So, unless people direct you to your state's laws then their opinions are not necessarily relevant to your question.
It is my understanding that there are only two states which accept only medical exemptions - Mississippi and West Virginia. The rest of the states have religious exemptions, and a smaller percentage have philosophical exemptions.
I would go to www.nvic.org and look up the laws that pertain to your particular state. I might also check my state statutes directly (via a state web site). I would then go about complying with the law.
I would be cautious with school personnel who may or may not be familiar with the law and I would not let them intimidate me.
Good luck.
Go to www.mothering.com click on community at the top and click on forums and then find your tribe. Find your state and post your question. Those mom's maybe able to guide you to a non-vaccine friendly doctor that can help you. I am not familiar with the Ohio law but in Texas you don't have to get a doctor signature on the vaccine refusal form, it just had to be notarized. My 6 year old started kindergarden last year and does not have any vaccines and when I turned in her form no one even batted an eye.
Yes, the State _can_ make you have a doctor sign it if you want to have your child attend public schools. In Washington State, for parents who don't fully vaccinate, a law was just passed to require parents to have a doctor sign a statement indicating that they've informed the parent about the benefits of vaccinations. That's it. Once you've heard the spiel, they'll sign the form, and you give it to the school.
If you want to homeschool, then you're free to do what you want.
Keep looking until you find one sympathic to your cause. Does your mom have a copy of her doctor's report? That might help.
Having sensitivities in the family should help you. The fact that you have all the other shots shows that you aren't being unreasonable. You should mention that.
Does your doctor know you are pulling all your kids because of this? I would tell him.
Dawn
I too also refuse to have my sons vaccinated for Hep B. I was dxd with Multiple sclerosis 6 months after having my 1st Hep. vaccine rounds before being able to enroll in college. I had no idea there were theories behind Hep B causing neurological symptoms and many anecdotal evidence toward MS specifically.
My 1st son had two rounds of hep B with horrible (but on the common side) reactions! At that moment I told my kids dr. there is no way will I give them the flu shot or the Hep B vaccines until they are old enough to decide on their own. Especially because there is still no explanation to what causes MS ( mix between genetics and environmental influences)! He was totally okay with it and said we're not a shooting up, the kids are obviously not sexually active, so when it comes to enroll for school just bring the paperwork in.
Might be worth looking for another pediatrician if they are not willing to allow you to exercise your parental rights to choose how to vaccinate your children. I'm surprised Hep. B is a required vax to get into school, on my son's preschool app it was just a recommended one, maybe it's already changed :( Is there a religious option you can pursue over the medical one...Oh wait maybe they'd require your clergy member to sign off then too--kidding of course! Sorry I don't have any advice on how to proceed, but wish you luck!!
The schools my kids go to I did not need anyone besides myself to sign the waiver.
I have to deal with this with my children. Unlike you though I had to deal with the side affects of the shot with my first. when my daughter got her second dose of this she reacted bad, to the point that I didn't think she was going to make it. at just about a year in age she was in bad shape anyhow she never recieved the rest of the doses and neither of my other two children have recieved the hep B shot. We have to get forms signed and go through all of that hassle, I am sorry you are going through it and I hope you can get something settled soon. I would suggest not going the religious route, I was told not to go this way since it is a medical reason just in case something were to happen.
While both are legal, an exempt form/waiver signed by a doctor is more acceptable, as opposed to an incriminating "Refusal To Vaccinate" form you can sign yourself.
The following is a link to OHIO IMMUNIZATION EXEMPTIONS
http://www.vaclib.org/exempt/ohio.htm
As another mom pointed out, if you home school your son you do not have to have him vaccinated, it is because he will be attending school with other children that vaccines or waivers are required. I don't see that you're being bullied by your doctor, he or she can make choices about what they will do, they're not required to do as you wish, or by the school district, who sets in motion rules and policies according to state and federal laws.
Call the prospective new doctor now to find out if they will sign the waiver. You are right, you cannot be forced to have your son vaccinated, but you need to be prepared to show your reasoning. BTW, my nephew has severe life-threatening doctor-documented reactions to certain vaccinations, so his doctor signs the waiver forms with no problems.
I haven't ever heard of anyone having odd reactions to these vaccines. I hope that it is something you can figure out. I had them a few years ago and all my friends have ad them too later in life. All the kids I know have all their immunizations and I cannot say any of them had anything like this. How hard for your family.
My chiropractor in Mason didn't vaccinate any of his children and they attend public schools. It can be done. PM me and I'll give you his name. Not sure if he can sign off on it or not, but he is very anti-vaccination and knows the laws and in and outs of not vaccinating and having children attend school. Good luck and stand your ground!
As far as I know, there is no state that can legally MAKE you have a doctor's signature. You should be able to get a waiver, have it notarized, and provide that for the school. The school CAN'T make you get a doctor's signature!! If you do live in Ohio, it should be easy.
http://www.lsc.state.oh.us/membersonly/128immunization.pdf
http://www.nvic.org/Vaccine-Laws/state-vaccine-requiremen...
