Vaccine exemption...Need help!

[airial95]

dcmom - for religious exemption tell them that the flying spaghetti monster is against vaccines because it upsets the balance of the meatballs (Just kidding! )

 

I agree that if you have to use the religious exemption on moral grounds go for it...you have to do what you have to do to protect your children.

 

On a side note - have you considered contacting an attorney? I know that might be a costly avenue, but it's worth a shot. Possibly the ACLU might have some insight. This seems like just the infringement on personal liberties that they are likely to take up...especially if religious exemptions are denied you as an aethiest, etc...

 

There might be an angle there that might work...

[mkur]

Ten years ago, I delayed vaccines (age 4-7) for younger non-pandas son because his ped felt he was a high risk for problems like autism. His speech was very delayed and his older brother had pandas. The doctor filled out the form and wrote a letter. I think you need to find a doctor who knows the system. I cannot help you in nj but I do understand. Hope you find an answer. Good luck.

[mama2alex]

I'm so sorry you're having to deal with this! You might try calling the National Vaccine Information Center at 703-938-0342. I've called them before and they are very helpful and supportive in situations like this.

 

Also, I pulled a list of NJ-relevant links from their website:

 

NJ Alliance for Informed Choice in Vaccination: http://www.njaicv.org, email@njaicv.org

Specific to exemptions: http://www.njaicv.org/law.htm

 

New Jersey Coalition for Vaccination Choice: www.njvaccinationchoice.org

 

Maybe one of these first two groups can help you or refer you to someone who can help you.

 

 

The State of New Jersey website:

www.state.nj.us/health/cd/chap14.htm

 

State of New Jersey Immunization Program:

http://www.state.nj.us/health/cd/vpdphome.htm

 

State of New Jersey Immunization Requirements for Higher Education:

http://www.state.nj.us/health/cd/college.htm

 

State of New Jersey Immunization Requirements for Public/Private Schools and Child Care:

http://www.state.nj.us/health/cd/chap14.pdf

[norcalmom]

We are dealing with same thing at the moment. I've not read your whole thread so forgive me if this is redunant but I've a couple things I am working with my doctor to get a note-

 

1) if your child had ivig - the ivig provides protection for up to 12 months after (might buy you some time if you are in that window)

 

2) if your child is on antibiotics - antibiotics are first line of defense for whooping cough (pretty sure thats all they are really interested in), so you child is more protected from acquiring and spreading the disease (?)

 

3) you can get your child's titers tested to see if she is making antibodies already. We did this for tetanus a while ago...and he made plenty of those so he doesn't need a booster. If your child had the 5 regular vaccines at 2mos, 6mos, 9mos, 18mos and 5 years - chances are very likely she will already make the antibodies. Id ont wnat to stick my son (fear of needles) and I'm not getting the vaccine anyway, so we didn't didn't do this. But, it can be tested. ..and if she shows she has protection - there is absolutely no need to administer the booster.

 

The new requirment in CA is booster every 7 years...but the old requirement was 10 years. (again - probability that she is making the antibodies is likely).

[dcmom]

Thanks everyone!

 

The vaccines required are tetanus and the meningitis vaccine.

 

I CAN check titers on the tetanus, but the meningitis is a newer vaccine, and a titer test won't do it.

 

I really don't want to just prove immunity, because I have two kids with pandas, and think this will be an ongoing issue. I want to be able to evaluate with our doc, which vaccines are really needed, and when they should get them. They are sick, and should not have to follow a random schedule for well children.

 

My out of state neurologist did write a note, which they will not accept, because apparently it needs to include an "approved" diagnosis. From my research, only a vaccine allergy, and a recent severe reaction to same vaccine are contraindications. Aids, immune deficiency, epilepsy, chemo (over 6 mos ago), etc are NOT approved contraindications.

 

I am usually up for some research and a fight- but both kids have gone downhill in the last two weeks (after a rough school year), and I am overwhelmed with dealing with them, the rest of the school year, and my TOTAL mess of a house (should be doing laundry right now). This is SUCKING up too much of my time, and all of my thoughts. My pandas docs are great, but they are not organized and responsive enough for this- and frankly, I don't think they know what to do.

 

I emailed one of the NJ vaccine choice sights, and put some feelers out to some moms of autistic kids to get some input. I am planning to go for the religious exemption, its just apparently a hot issue here, as NJ (I think) just passed a correction to the religious exemption (to tighten it up) that states vaccination must be against the "tenets" of your "bona fide religion".

 

I am thinking that it may be partly up to the discretion of each school (in ours the school nurse), and then maybe if the nurse questions it (which I guess ours is), then it goes to the state medical board.

[mama2alex]

Hi Norcal Mom,

 

I'm not sure if you're aware, but CA allows a "philosophical" exemption. We used this when my son entered kindergarten and it was really easy. I just had to fill out a form at the school office (and endure the stares of the school secretary ). The NVIC website indicates that CA still allows this exemption, so you shouldn't need a doctor's note. Is your school telling you something else?

 

 

 

We are dealing with same thing at the moment. I've not read your whole thread so forgive me if this is redunant but I've a couple things I am working with my doctor to get a note-

 

1) if your child had ivig - the ivig provides protection for up to 12 months after (might buy you some time if you are in that window)

 

2) if your child is on antibiotics - antibiotics are first line of defense for whooping cough (pretty sure thats all they are really interested in), so you child is more protected from acquiring and spreading the disease (?)

 

3) you can get your child's titers tested to see if she is making antibodies already. We did this for tetanus a while ago...and he made plenty of those so he doesn't need a booster. If your child had the 5 regular vaccines at 2mos, 6mos, 9mos, 18mos and 5 years - chances are very likely she will already make the antibodies. Id ont wnat to stick my son (fear of needles) and I'm not getting the vaccine anyway, so we didn't didn't do this. But, it can be tested. ..and if she shows she has protection - there is absolutely no need to administer the booster.

 

The new requirment in CA is booster every 7 years...but the old requirement was 10 years. (again - probability that she is making the antibodies is likely).

[fsilverpsych]

Hello Eileen (DC MOM)!

 

It's Frannie- from our NJ support group. I was checking back in specifically to see if you had any success with the NJ Vaccination issue.

 

My son Jack (going into 1st grade after 1 yr in a private kindergarten), might not have a problem this year... b/c he is making titers to MMR and I think he is up to date on the rest... actually- we will have a problem given that NJ is one of those few states that REQUIRE an annual flu shot as well. His PANDAS episode started after having the flu shot, getting strep, getting swine flu, and then strep again- ALL in a month and a half's time. Needless to say, I don't want him getting vaccinated or getting the flu shot anytime soon!

 

Hope it went well for you and the girls.

 

Frannie

[Tamistwins]

Hi can u tell me when nj made a decision to require the flue shot? My children are in public school and I know that the school offered to give free flu shots last year however, we were able to opt out. When did this all happen?

name='fsilverpsych' timestamp='1310739342' post='117072']

Hello Eileen (DC MOM)!

 

It's Frannie- from our NJ support group. I was checking back in specifically to see if you had any success with the NJ Vaccination issue.

 

My son Jack (going into 1st grade after 1 yr in a private kindergarten), might not have a problem this year... b/c he is making titers to MMR and I think he is up to date on the rest... actually- we will have a problem given that NJ is one of those few states that REQUIRE an annual flu shot as well. His PANDAS episode started after having the flu shot, getting strep, getting swine flu, and then strep again- ALL in a month and a half's time. Needless to say, I don't want him getting vaccinated or getting the flu shot anytime soon!

 

Hope it went well for you and the girls.

 

Frannie

[fsilverpsych]

Hi... just rechecked... I think NJ only requires the annual flu shot for pre-schoolers and those in licensed day care centers (as of 2007)... which would affect some of the younger kids on the forum. I lucked out with a great, private daycare (which is licensed) but did not make me get the kids the flu shot.

 

Sorry if I freaked any NJ residents out with the last post... but it would still affect younger kids who go to pre-schools that will uphold this mandate.

 

Frannie