So, we are moving to Maryland/Virginia area in about 6 weeks and my daughter is in kindergarten. She has had chicken pox and is all up to date on her shots. My son who is 3 and is in preschool, is also up to date on all his shots, BUT we do not do the chicken pox vax. That is the only one I refuse, and my dr. completly agrees with me (dr. Sears). So, I was looking into the requirements for registration in Maryland and there is no waiver. The only way that I could get out of him getting it is if we can prove that he is already immune by blood test. Now, I was pregannt with my son when my daughter had the pox. She was 2 years old. Then just this year she had it again for the 2nd time, and my son didn't get it. I know for sure it was chicken pox both times because we took her to the dr. both times and it was confirmed. So, is it possible that he is immune? They sometimes take showers together still and they share a room so I was really supprised that he didn't get it.
Is there any way to get out of making him get this shot other than a blood test? Can't I just sign a waiver like I did here in CA?
Thank you!!
thank you for all the responses! ANd thanks for the link too. I did do a deylayed schedule with them. I don't have the dr. sears book, but he is their dr. so anytime I have a question, I just give them a call or talk to them at their appointments. They are awesome dr's! I honestly don't like Dr. Jim that much, but Dr. Bob, and Dr. Bill, and Dr. Peter are amazing! I'm really hoping I can find a dr. for them with the same view's after we move. I'm so worried that I will have to take them to someone that is too medicine heavy or won't listen to me, I try to not give them even cold medicine, unless it's an all natural homeopathic remidy (like Hyland's brand). So, I will look more into this. I might even call the school district over there. I would hate to lie and say it's for religious reasons. We are a Christian family, but I don't think there is anything against it. So, thank you!!
The one thing I do know is that we live in America so nobody can force you to inject something into your child. There is a way, you just have to find it. I'm in TX so I can't help you specifically, but I'm sure you will figure it out. :)
I would recommend calling the board of education for the county where you are going to be living.
Personally, I vaccinate my son against everything so I don't know what the laws here are, but I know that they can't require you to have your child vaccinated against anything.
It is possible he is immune- my sister never got it though she was ALWAYS around kids who did. I think they finally forced her to get the varicella vaccine for COLLEGE (she is 29 now). My mom used to take her to chicken pox parties when she was a kid and she never got it. They didn't give her the option to get the blood test to prove immunity for college -- forced the vaccine. Why not try the test?
Every state's vaccine requirements are different. Every state's waiver options are different.
In all states, you have a medical exemption. You will just need a doctor to sign off on it and should be able to find one that agrees with you. Injecting neurotoxins into a child? Should be able to find one. In MD, you have a religious exemption as well and just need to sign the waiver as such. You do not need to go into detail or explain your religion to anyone.
http://www.nvic.org/Vaccine-Laws/state-vaccine-requiremen...
Best place for information on vaccines is www.nvic.org
Great to know this and good thing that you are on top of it. Have you been spreading them out and I do hope you have Dr. Robert Sears book, The Vaccine Book.
Do not keep your child 'up to date' if you don't feel it is in the best interest for them. The chicken pox should be done the natural way and let them get it when they are kids, preferably under the age of 5/6. btw - my daughter had them twice AND had the vaccine AND my son caught it from her AND had the vaccine.
My son had chicken pox when he was 8 months old and because it was in his medical records, he never needed to have the vaccine (at first it was optional but now it is not). He started school in MD and then moved to DE. I don't believe you can "opt" out. The vaccine wouldn't make him immune anyway, just lessen the severity if he were to get it...I don't agree with this particular vaccine either because it doesn't prevent chicken pox and since it lessen the severity, it actually increases the chance of reoccurance (as you know, you can get them twice especially with mild cases). My daughter will have the shot because it is now required.
Hi Candace,
I thought I may have been imune. There was not a chicken pox vaccine when I was growing up, and I once babysat for a fussy baby that I carried most of the evening that woke up with the pox the next morning.
I asked my doctor whether she thought I had an immunity to it and she said it could still surface, depending on different factors. I opted for the vaccine as an adult because I had seen too many of my adult friends get the chicken pox at an older age and suffer miserably through it.
I wish you the best and hope it all works out or you.
Take care,
L.
