Navigating The Road Less Traveled
You have decided to not vaccinate on the CDC’s immunization schedule. What comes next? Some parents choose not to vaccinate at all. Others choose to delay vaccines and/or selectively vaccinate their children. Of course parents have more questions once the decision is made. Can my child go to school? What about daycare? Our doctor just fired us for not vaccinating. What do I do now? How do I get my family to understand my choice?
You’re sure to encounter some or even all of these issues, but when it comes to not vaccinating your child on schedule, knowledge is power. Here are some pointers to help you navigate the school system, the medical system, and, toughest of all, extended family.
Of course your child can go to school. Most states have medical, religious, and philosophical exemptions available for school and daycare. In most cases, exemptions are a simple notarized form and/or letter. If you delay vaccines and/or selectively vaccinate, exemptions may be a little tricky. You also may want to consider opting out of your state’s vaccine registry. Some states have strict laws or language that can make obtaining an exemption difficult. It is very important to thoroughly research your state’s vaccination laws prior to filing for an exemption.
Ideally you have a medical care provider who respects your health decisions. If your doctor doesn’t approve of your decision to stop or delay vaccinations for your child, remember that YOU employ the doctor to provide services to your family. Your doctor’s reaction may range from a quizzical look to a full-scale fear-mongering assault. This behavior is simply an attempt to scare you into compliance. You do not have to vaccinate your child on the spot. If you are concerned, tell your doctor you will take it into consideration and then research the information yourself.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) does not recommend firing patients for not vaccinating. In fact, many pediatricians say they will fire parents who choose not to vaccinate or who selectively vaccinate their children. The truth is, your doctor is your paid employee. If he chooses to stop working for you, your doctor is required to provide medical care for your child for 30 days. Although it may be shocking for your doctor to make such a decision, there are many caring physicians who respect a family’s right to not vaccinate.
Many families are comfortable sharing their decision with family members only to be surprised that they are less than supportive. This is where clear boundaries can be helpful. Sometimes it is best to not enter the debate at all. Occasionally, a loved one just won’t let the issue go. Bean dip would be helpful in this case (and nearly every other parenting topic).
It is common for families to be able to understand why they have decided to go against the CDC’s vaccine recommendations for their children, but not feel comfortable debating the issue with their physicians or well-meaning family and friends. Thankfully, making health decisions isn’t a debate.
Comments
4 Comments on Navigating The Road Less Traveled
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Schwartz on
Sun, 10th Feb 2008 9:51 pm
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julie on
Mon, 11th Feb 2008 8:10 am
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beanymama on
Wed, 27th Feb 2008 12:54 pm
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Athena on
Wed, 27th Feb 2008 1:38 pm
In Canada you have the right to choose whether to vaccinate or not. You can go to http://www.vran.org where they have appropriate instructions depending on your province.
You should also know that the local board of health probably has a set of rules for dealing with unvaccinated children in an outbreak (usually sending them home for a period of time). This is something you should be aware of, that can happen. Interestingly, the rules in Toronto during a outbreaks of Pertussis (whopping cough) in daycares over the past couple of years, has been to put all the children on anti-biotics (vaccinated or not) or stay home for 20 days.
On the topic of doctors, if your doctor reacts very poorly to your decision, you probably don’t want that doctor taking care of your kids anyways. I heard a story where the doctor was basically firing the patient because she claimed the diseases were so rare, she wouldn’t know how to recognize them if they showed up in an unvaccinated person. I guess that doctor didn’t realize that the vaccine doesn’t work on everyone. Not a doctor I would want.
This brings me to one of the most important topics: KNOW the diseases. Read up on all the signs and symptoms. Some of the diseases can be quite serious, and early recognition and treatment can be critical. Naturally, you should treat any illness seriously (vaccines or not).
I am also familiar with having discussions with other family members. My inlaws were not pleased with our decision, but I have a lot of data, and I offered it to them. They actually took the time to read a lot of it, and went to the library to look up the studies I referenced. In the end, they conceeded that they were glad they didn’t have to make the decision because of the conflicting information, and they left it at that.
I’m glad my inlaws are reasonable people!
One last thing (as I recently found out). Tetanus immunoglobulen shots (the kind they give you after a wound if you haven’t been vaccinated to prevent tetanus) is apparently quite a bit more toxic than the tetanus vaccine itself.
If you decide not to vaccinate against tetanus, then you should be aware that you risk having to get the other shot, if your child receives a high risk injury outdoors (deep cut etc).
This isn’t really something you should worry about with infants, but as your child gets older, it is something to consider.
Your doctor WORKS for YOU. The term ‘Firing patients’ thus makes no sense. Why would anyone want a doctor who doesn’t respect your vaccine choice anyhow? I would be running, not walking, out of an office that did not give me the CHOICE.
“Of course your child can go to school.”
Sadly, for those of us in West Virginia and Mississippi, this is entirely not true. An attempt to send my child to school here in West Virginia would result in fines, social services workers at my door, and charges of child neglect. Unfortuately, for many of us, homeschooling is our only option.
I agree that it’s unfortunate. Frankly, it’s a travesty.
West Virginia and Mississippi are the two states that only allow a medical exemption for parents wishing to make health decisions regarding vaccination.
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