dcmom Posted May 31, 2011 Report Share Posted May 31, 2011 So yes, it is not hard enough to have two girls with pandas.... And to have to fight with docs and insurance and spend tons of $$ to get them well.... But now, the state wants to force them to be vaccinated, even with dr's note. We are in NJ. Our neurologist wrote a letter stating my dd (going into 6th grade) should be exempted from vaccines (she is required to get the tetanus booster and meningitis vaccine prior to Sept). She did not write pandas (due to "controversy") and termed it Immunological disorder. We just asked for a one year exemption- dd has NOT done well this year re pandas, and is still not at 100%. Well the nurse just called. State medical board only gives exemptions for diagnoses that the american assoc of pediatric states needs a vaccine exemption. Needless to say, pandas and immunological disorder do not count. I have a feeling this nurse is not going to be helpful. I know NJ tends to deny religious exemptions and there is no philosophical exemption. I need help, she is NOT getting these vaccines, now, period. Where will the state medical board be, if she has an episode post vaccination, and needs pex. Will they find a hospital to do it for us? Will they pay? Anyone with helpful info, PLEASE respond or pm me. I am going out of my friggin' mind Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tamistwins Posted May 31, 2011 Report Share Posted May 31, 2011 I'm so sorry you have to deal with this on top of everything else. I am also in nj and have twins going into 2nd grade. I was told not to vaccinate anymore so I am very curious if anyone knows how to deal with this situation. Where in nj are u? Please keep me in mind if anyone gives you the info you are seeking. Good luck! Tami Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JAG10 Posted May 31, 2011 Report Share Posted May 31, 2011 Good Lord, Eileen! My dd11 is going into 6th gr as well and I am sending the vaccination cards up for both girls, 7 and 11, with my dd and dh for Dr. B to sign this Thursday (she's scheduled for a treatment. We are in PA and I spoke to the school nurse in the elem where I work. She said it would not be a problem. In fact, the space just asks for a signature, no dx code or label. She just told me if there was an outbreak at their school, I would be required to withdraw them for a certain period of time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dcmom Posted May 31, 2011 Author Report Share Posted May 31, 2011 Gosh- NJ requires a letter from a doctor, that states diagnosis and how long exemption should be. Apparently only diagnoses that the amer assoc of peds deems needs exemptions are accepted. I don't know what we are going to do. She is going from bad to worse, right now, and now I have to figure out how to fight this? I feel like I am living in a parallel universe to most of my friends- whose biggest worry is who the soccer coach will be, etc. I feel like Tracie (Doug)- things cannot go on like this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thereishope Posted May 31, 2011 Report Share Posted May 31, 2011 Can you write the NVIC? If you go on things like facebook, there are vocal people who will tell youw has has worked for them. Here's two to visit http://www.facebook.com/#!/national.vaccine.information.center http://www.facebook.com/#!/vaccineinfo This is one time I'm thankful I'm in Ohio! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christianmom Posted May 31, 2011 Report Share Posted May 31, 2011 I'm not sure if this applies, but I got a religious exemption in PA several years ago to keep my children from getting the 12-year revaccinations. They basically seemed pointless to me. I told the school nurse that I did not have a true religious problem with the vaccination, just a problem with it--basically didn't think they were necessary (this was before my son had PANDAS, so I didn't plead on those grounds). She said if I had a any problem with any vaccine I could use the religious exemption reason to get my children out of them. She said it didn't have to really be a religious problem--I just I had to have a problem with them. And really, she never questioned me about why I was asking for a religious exemption anyway--I offered the information. She didn't really seem to care. She only wanted to make sure I had signed a religious exemption form so that all the proper paperwork was in place. Maybe this is a valid option where you live. You might want to check with a homeschooler in your area. Lots of homeschool moms choose not to vaccinate. They may be able to tell you what to do. You should have the same rights as a homeschool mom and I don't think they can deny you that, even if your children are in school. Hope all goes well! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MomWithOCDSon Posted May 31, 2011 Report Share Posted May 31, 2011 So sorry, Eileen! What insanity! How can NJ conduct itself so differently from other states in this regard? Perhaps there's a state advocacy group that could point you to some successful means? Or can you get a list of what the AAP asserts are justifiable exemptions for vaccines and get a doctor to confirm one of those conditions/diagnoses? Sorry I don't have any more concrete ideas; we're not in your area, and I wasn't "with it" enough to refuse vaccines for my DS when he was your daughter's age. Here's good thoughts and light coming your way for this situation and your daughter's overall health. Hang in there! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dcmom Posted May 31, 2011 Author Report Share Posted May 31, 2011 Thanks Christianmomom. I wish I just did this for both girls when we moved in But, I am honest- and knew I had several docs in my corner with this, so couldn't imagine there would be a problem. Hard to believe after all of the stuff we have been through, I was still so naive. Apparently, from some research, NJ is the worst. They require the most vaccinations of any state, and have very strict rules, they have a very high compliance rate, and (coincidence?) the highest autism rates in the country. The nurse is a bit cold and by the book. I am just afraid she will make a comment to the medical board about the rejected medical exemption, etc. Apparently, NJ does reject religious exemptions. In some preliminary research, it looks like only an allergic reaction to same vaccine prior, or an encephalitis response are medical exemptions. What? I am getting nervous- do not want to homeschool- yet cannot imagine getting the vaccine (by force) when I know she is not healthy enough. I am really hoping someone has something for me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christianmom Posted June 1, 2011 Report Share Posted June 1, 2011 You may still want to talk to some homeschool moms. They might have some other ideas because as I mentioned, they are often against vaccines (especially because they seem pointless when you're homeschooling). If you don't know of any, there is probably a support group in your area that you can find through the internet. You should have the same rights they have. So if they can get their children exempt some how, so can you. On the flip side of that, homeschooling alone will not get you out of vaccinations (at least not in PA). That makes no sense to me, but it is true. It is because homeschooled children in PA are enrolled in the school system. So if my children are therefore allowed, for example, to play sports at their local high school even though they are homeschooled, I have to have them vaccinated or exempt. Even if I choose never to use the school system in any way, I have to have them vaccinated or exempt. Do you think Dr. T could call the school and be of any help? He might be willing to go to bat for you, especially since he is in your state. Also, isn't PANDAS basically an encephalitis response? Wouldn't that be enough to get your children exempt? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dcmom Posted June 1, 2011 Author Report Share Posted June 1, 2011 So in further research, it seems, they are NOT supposed to question me if I give them a letter that states it is against my religious beliefs. Ugh. I so like to do things honestly. I am an atheist- so I really have no religion, by strict definition, but I guess if I did have a "religion" it would be NOT to inject my kids with toxic substances. I think I am going to have to go this route- because it appears the medical exemption is allowed for almost nothing. The encephalitis has to be in response to a vaccine, and within like 7 days or something.... I will keep y'all updated Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
problemsolver Posted June 1, 2011 Report Share Posted June 1, 2011 Look up Dr. Neubrander's website (he's in Edison, NJ). He and his PA are listed as PANDAS specialists... and, he is a DAN doctor and was at Autism One this weekend and most likely knows or has met Dr. Cunningham. I'd get his opinion on this. Dave So yes, it is not hard enough to have two girls with pandas.... And to have to fight with docs and insurance and spend tons of $$ to get them well.... But now, the state wants to force them to be vaccinated, even with dr's note. We are in NJ. Our neurologist wrote a letter stating my dd (going into 6th grade) should be exempted from vaccines (she is required to get the tetanus booster and meningitis vaccine prior to Sept). She did not write pandas (due to "controversy") and termed it Immunological disorder. We just asked for a one year exemption- dd has NOT done well this year re pandas, and is still not at 100%. Well the nurse just called. State medical board only gives exemptions for diagnoses that the american assoc of pediatric states needs a vaccine exemption. Needless to say, pandas and immunological disorder do not count. I have a feeling this nurse is not going to be helpful. I know NJ tends to deny religious exemptions and there is no philosophical exemption. I need help, she is NOT getting these vaccines, now, period. Where will the state medical board be, if she has an episode post vaccination, and needs pex. Will they find a hospital to do it for us? Will they pay? Anyone with helpful info, PLEASE respond or pm me. I am going out of my friggin' mind Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christianmom Posted June 1, 2011 Report Share Posted June 1, 2011 I think the way to look at it is that it is a moral exemption. You just simply don't agree with vaccines. For your children they are wrong. I actually spoke for quite awhile with the school nurse about this with my children because I felt dishonest as well. She assured me that it was not and encouraged me to exercise my right. Glad this is an option for you too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T_Mom Posted June 1, 2011 Report Share Posted June 1, 2011 Good Heavens--this is incredible. I am so sorry DCMom-- I agree that you may want to get Dr T to weigh in on this, just for the record. I think you definitely have a "religious" reason to not vaccinate, no doubt! There is no reason you cannot state that--as you do! You believe it is wrong for your child's best health and well being, how much more could anyone ask for of you? I would leave it at that, period. Good luck, keep us posted-- (I wonder if any of the other Ps docs would be willing to go to bat for you on this?) My best-- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tpotter Posted June 1, 2011 Report Share Posted June 1, 2011 Eileen, Encephalitis should work. I know that your neurologist (same as mine) uses: post-infectious encephalitis as a dx for PEX. Ask her if she'll use it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kayanne Posted June 1, 2011 Report Share Posted June 1, 2011 I'm sorry you are going through this! I wish I had more to offer... ((hugs)) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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