Vaccines for School/Daycare? Exemption Information!

I thought this might be helpful to those who are interested in learning more about their options and parental rights as it pertains to state vaccine requirements.

Scroll to the bottom to find your state.

First, know that vaccine laws are only applied through schools and daycares. No one is legally obligated to vaccinate an infant or child who is not enrolled in a daycare or school program.

For children entering such a program, there are exemptions available to parents, and in most states, vaccines are not necessary for school or daycare, despite what many health and school authorities claim. If you'd like to decline one or more vaccines, learn about your state exemption policies.

http://www.nvic.org/Vaccine-Laws/state-vaccine-requirements.aspx

There are three kinds of vaccine exemptions available in the US:

medical
philosophical
religious

The ideal situation is when your state offers all three; currently 18 states do. All states offer medical, but medical is often the most difficult to obtain. All states but two, WV and MS, offer religious.

A quick explanation of each exemption:

medical - usually you must obtain a doctor's written approval for this exemption, and often it is only given if your child is allergic to a vaccine component or has demonstrated a moderate to severe reaction following vaccination. Sometimes the doctor will only write the exemption for the particular vaccine or vaccines which were reacted to (or are allergic to). Sometimes the state requires that the exemption come from a doctor who is an MD; others accept exemptions from DO's or even holistic doctors including chiropractors.

philosophical - "best" exemption for your state to have, IMO...easiest to obtain. You must express on a written form or letter that you are philosophically opposed to vaccines and sign it. Sometimes you must get the form notarized. Any reason you have as a parent can be considered philosophical. You don't need to be specific about your reason(s).

religious - You must express on a written form or letter that you are religiously opposed to the practice of vaccination. This usually does NOT require that you belong to a specific religious organization which opposes vaccines. You must follow your state's guidelines to file for this exemption. NY is the toughest on people filing religious exemptions, and if you live in NY and would like to claim religious exemption, I highly recommend contacting Gary Krasner.


Each state differs slightly on its application of exemption policies, so if you're looking to get really informed on your options, you'll want to be familiar with the law as well as how it is applied in your state.

(Follow the link by your state to get more information and links to state websites and organizations, including your state health department.)

Unfortunately, school and health officials (including those at state health departments) are often misinformed about the law. Contact your state health department, and ask questions when you visit your pediatrician, but make sure you verify the information that is given to you. Doctors, nurses, government officials and school authorities often do not hand out complete and accurate info regarding exemption options. The same goes for information given to you by ANYONE. Check and double-check the information given to you! It is your right and responsibility as a parent to have full access to information regarding your child's health.


All state information below was obtained from the National Vaccine Information Center. Follow the link for your state to go straight to your state's NVIC page, which will offer more detailed information, including links to your state health department and other support or informational groups.
*again, be skeptical of any information given to you when you call or click. Check and double check what you're told, especially if it's directly impacting your vaccine choices!


Alabama - medical, religious
http://www.nvic.org/Vaccine-Laws/state-vaccine-requirements/alabama.aspx

Alaska - medical, religious
http://www.nvic.org/Vaccine-Laws/state-vaccine-requirements/alaska.aspx

Arizona - medical, religious and philosophical
http://www.nvic.org/Vaccine-Laws/state-vaccine-requirements/arizona.aspx

Arkansas - medical, religious, and philosophical
http://www.nvic.org/Vaccine-Laws/state-vaccine-requirements/arkansas.aspx

California - medical, religious, and philosophical
http://www.nvic.org/Vaccine-Laws/state-vaccine-requirements/california.aspx

Colorado - medical, religious, and philosophical
http://www.nvic.org/Vaccine-Laws/state-vaccine-requirements/colorado.aspx

Connecticut - medical, religious
http://www.nvic.org/Vaccine-Laws/state-vaccine-requirements/connecticut.aspx

Delaware - medical, religious
http://www.nvic.org/Vaccine-Laws/state-vaccine-requirements/delaware.aspx

Florida - medical, religious
http://www.nvic.org/Vaccine-Laws/state-vaccine-requirements/florida.aspx

Georgia - medical, religious
http://www.nvic.org/Vaccine-Laws/state-vaccine-requirements/georgia.aspx

Hawaii - medical, religious
http://www.nvic.org/Vaccine-Laws/state-vaccine-requirements/hawaii.aspx

Idaho - medical, religious and philosophical
http://www.nvic.org/Vaccine-Laws/state-vaccine-requirements/idaho.aspx

Illinois - medical, religious
http://www.nvic.org/Vaccine-Laws/state-vaccine-requirements/illinois.aspx

Indiana - medical, religious
http://www.nvic.org/Vaccine-Laws/state-vaccine-requirements/indiana.aspx

Iowa - medical, religious
http://www.nvic.org/Vaccine-Laws/state-vaccine-requirements/iowa.aspx

Kansas - medical, religious
http://www.nvic.org/Vaccine-Laws/state-vaccine-requirements/kansas.aspx

Kentucky - medical, religious
http://www.nvic.org/Vaccine-Laws/state-vaccine-requirements/kentucky.aspx

Louisiana - medical, religious and philosophical
http://www.nvic.org/Vaccine-Laws/state-vaccine-requirements/louisiana.aspx

Maine - medical, religious and philosophical
http://www.nvic.org/Vaccine-Laws/state-vaccine-requirements/maine.aspx

Maryland - medical, religious
http://www.nvic.org/Vaccine-Laws/state-vaccine-requirements/maryland.aspx

Massachusetts - medical, religious
http://www.nvic.org/Vaccine-Laws/state-vaccine-requirements/massachusetts.aspx

Michigan - medical, religious and philosophical
http://www.nvic.org/Vaccine-Laws/state-vaccine-requirements/michigan.aspx

Minnesota - medical, religious and philosophical
http://www.nvic.org/Vaccine-Laws/state-vaccine-requirements/minnesota.aspx

Mississippi - medical (policy application changed recently; pm me FMI)
http://www.nvic.org/Vaccine-Laws/state-vaccine-requirements/mississippi.aspx

Missouri - medical, religious
http://www.nvic.org/Vaccine-Laws/state-vaccine-requirements/missouri.aspx

Montana - medical, religious
http://www.nvic.org/Vaccine-Laws/state-vaccine-requirements/montana.aspx

Nebraska - medical, religious
http://www.nvic.org/Vaccine-Laws/state-vaccine-requirements/nebraska.aspx

Nevada - medical, religious
http://www.nvic.org/Vaccine-Laws/state-vaccine-requirements/nevada.aspx

New Hampshire - medical, religious
http://www.nvic.org/Vaccine-Laws/state-vaccine-requirements/newhampshire.aspx

New Jersey - medical, religious
http://www.nvic.org/Vaccine-Laws/state-vaccine-requirements/newjersey.aspx

New Mexico - medical, religious and philosophical
http://www.nvic.org/Vaccine-Laws/state-vaccine-requirements/newmexico.aspx

New York - medical, religious
http://www.nvic.org/Vaccine-Laws/state-vaccine-requirements/newyork.aspx

North Carolina - medical, religious
http://www.nvic.org/Vaccine-Laws/state-vaccine-requirements/northcarolina.aspx

North Dakota - medical, religious and philosophical
http://www.nvic.org/Vaccine-Laws/state-vaccine-requirements/northdakota.aspx

Ohio - medical, religious and philosophical
http://www.nvic.org/Vaccine-Laws/state-vaccine-requirements/ohio.aspx

Oklahoma - medical, religious and philosophical
http://www.nvic.org/Vaccine-Laws/state-vaccine-requirements/oklahoma.aspx

Oregon - medical, religious
http://www.nvic.org/Vaccine-Laws/state-vaccine-requirements/oregon.aspx

Pennsylvania - medical, religious
http://www.nvic.org/Vaccine-Laws/state-vaccine-requirements/pennsylvania.aspx

Rhode Island - medical, religious
http://www.nvic.org/Vaccine-Laws/state-vaccine-requirements/rhodeisland.aspx

South Carolina - medical, religious
http://www.nvic.org/Vaccine-Laws/state-vaccine-requirements/southcarolina.aspx

South Dakota - medical, religious
http://www.nvic.org/Vaccine-Laws/state-vaccine-requirements/southdakota.aspx

Tennessee - medical, religious
http://www.nvic.org/Vaccine-Laws/state-vaccine-requirements/tennessee.aspx

Texas - medical, religious and philosophical
http://www.nvic.org/Vaccine-Laws/state-vaccine-requirements/texas.aspx

Utah - medical, religious and philosophical
http://www.nvic.org/Vaccine-Laws/state-vaccine-requirements/utah.aspx

Vermont - medical, religious and philosophical
http://www.nvic.org/Vaccine-Laws/state-vaccine-requirements/vermont.aspx

Virginia - medical, religious
http://www.nvic.org/Vaccine-Laws/state-vaccine-requirements/virginia.aspx

Washington - medical, religious and philosophical
http://www.nvic.org/Vaccine-Laws/state-vaccine-requirements/washington.aspx

West Virginia - medical
http://www.nvic.org/Vaccine-Laws/state-vaccine-requirements/westvirginia.aspx

Wisconsin - medical, religious and philosophical
http://www.nvic.org/Vaccine-Laws/state-vaccine-requirements/wisconsin.aspx

Wyoming - medical, religious
http://www.nvic.org/Vaccine-Laws/state-vaccine-requirements/wyoming.aspx

 

I will read this when I get back. Thanks!!

I wish we could make this a sticky!

Quoting Mama C:“ I will read this when I get back. Thanks!!”

Oh, thank you. It took me a long-ass time to compose it. lol!!!!  

Quoting ♥ Ah, Satan! ♥:“ I wish we could make this a sticky!”

 

If anyone sees any typos or something that just doesn't make sense/isn't clear, please let me know!!

Thanks for this!

It really should become a sticky!

You should add this map!



 

this does need to be a sticky!!!

Love the info! not many people realize they have a choice

Good post  

Quoting PassionatelySweetParties:“ You should add this map!  ”

will do!!! thanks!

Quoting EmmaGrace *IBTC*:“ will do!!! thanks!”

I show that map all the time on here. It is a nice quick reference.

Added the map!

Thank you for posting this! I can't tell you how many parents have said to me, "We had to vaccinate or they wouldn't let little billy into school," The system is designed to keep parents from having all the information needed. It's sad. How many kids do you know who never went to school b/c their parents didn't immunize? LOL!