AP IMPACT: Parents use religion to avoid vaccinating
children
http://www.wtol.com/global/story.asp?s=7229495&ClientType=Printable
Associated Press - October 17, 2007 9:05 PM ET
BOSTON (AP) - A small but growing number of parents around the country
are claiming religious exemptions to avoid vaccinating their children
when the real reason may be skepticism of the shots or concern they can
cause other illnesses.
That's according to an Associated Press examination of vaccination
records from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Twenty-eight states allow parents to opt out for medical or religious
reasons only. Twenty other states, including Ohio, also allow parents to
cite personal or philosophical reasons.
Ohio's Health Department says 1,211 newly enrolled kindergarten students
claimed religious or philosophical objections for the 2006-2007 academic
year - up from 335 in 1997-1998.
Doctor Paul Offit, of Children's Hospital in Philadelphia, says
resistance to vaccines is "an irrational, fear-based decision."
if you ever get pushed about declaring your
preference, try one of these;
Say nothing of my religion. It is known to God and myself alone. Its
evidence before the world is to be sought in my life: if it has been
honest and dutiful to society the religion which has regulated it cannot
be a bad one.
Thomas
Jefferson
3rd president of US (1743 - 1826)
When I do good, I feel good; when I do bad, I feel bad, and that is my
religion. -
Abraham Lincoln, (attributed)
16th president of US (1809 - 1865)
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071018/ap_on_re_us/vaccine_skeptics;_ylt=ArnP9d
AH24IvJVWVZvHq_hms0NUE
Parents use religion to avoid vaccines
By STEVE LeBLANC, Associated Press Writer Thu Oct 18, 4:21 AM ET
All states have some requirement that youngsters be
immunized against such childhood diseases as measles, mumps, chickenpox,
diphtheria and whooping cough. Twenty-eight states, including Florida,
Massachusetts and New York, allow parents to opt out for medical or
religious reasons only. Twenty other states, among them California,
Pennsylvania, Texas and Ohio, also allow parents to cite personal or
philosophical reasons. Mississippi and West
Virginia allow exemptions for medical reasons only.
From 2003 to 2007, religious exemptions for kindergartners increased, in
some cases doubled or tripled, in 20 of the 28 states that allow only
medical or religious exemptions, the AP found. Religious exemptions
decreased in three of these states — Nebraska, Wyoming, South Carolina —
and were unchanged in five others.
The rate of exemption requests is also increasing.
For example, in Massachusetts, the rate of those seeking exemptions has
more than doubled in the past decade — from 0.24 percent, or 210, in
1996 to 0.60 percent, or 474, in 2006. In Florida, 1,249 children
claimed religious exemptions in 2006, almost double the 661 who did so
just four years earlier. That was an increase of 0.3 to 0.6 percent of
the student population. Georgia, New Hampshire and Alabama saw their
rates double in the past four years.
The numbers from the various states cannot be added up with accuracy.
Some states used a sampling of students to gauge levels of vaccinations.
Others surveyed all or nearly all students. Fifteen of the 20 states
that allow both religious and philosophical exemptions have seen
increases in both, according to the AP's findings.
Religious and medical exemptions, which had been
climbing, plummeted, while the number of philosophical exemptions
spiked.
In the first year alone, more parents applied for philosophical
exemptions than religious and medical exemptions combined. From 2001 to
2004, the total number of students seeking exemptions in Arkansas more
than doubled, from 529 to 1,145.
Play-it-safe parents just saying no to shots
By MARK SOMMER
News Staff Reporter
http://www.buffalonews.com/editorial/20021031/1009883.asp
Most parents have been there - holding the screaming baby down while the
nurse inserts the needle. Then there's a period of waiting and watching
the child for fever, or worse. It's vaccination time, and most people
believe the hassle is worth it to prevent a horrible disease. Of course,
you don't hear much anymore about the illnesses that vaccinations were
developed to prevent: polio, mumps, tetanus, German measles. Thanks to
mandated vaccinations, these diseases, which ravaged children a couple
of generations ago, have been mostly eradicated in the United States.
But some parents are not convinced vaccines are safe, and they're
finding ways - using religious or medical exemptions granted by the
state - to avoid immunizing their children.
The reasons vary, from concerns that the vaccines made from antigens
produced by disease-causing microorganisms can overwhelm a healthy
child's developing immune system, to a belief in holistic, natural
cures, to a general distrust of modern medicine. Dr. Steven Lana,
president of the staff at Children's Hospital, says the fears are not
supported in the medical literature. "The immune system is challenged on
a daily basis by thousands of exposures to antigens just by the daily
course of living," said Lana. "Introducing three, four, five strains of
antigens through vaccines is really a drop in the bucket.
"The data that has been provided is enough to make me feel comfortable
that vaccines are safe," said Lana.The outcry against vaccines, however,
has gotten so loud that the scientific community has stepped in to take
a look. The National Medical Institute - an arm of the National Academy
of Sciences - is in the middle of a three-year study to examine vaccine
safety concerns. So far, the research supports the safety of vaccines.
But many people are now doing their own research. Matt Hezel and Dawn
Collier-Hezel of Buffalo, who have four children, are opposed to
vaccinating their children. Even as the flu season approaches and
medical experts are for the first time urging flu shots for all children
ages 6 months to 2 years, the Hezels will not let a needle near their
children. Not for the flu, not for a vaccination of any kind.
"I am willing to stay with my children when they're sick and take care
of them with alternative medicine as well as with the help of Western
medicine when needed," said Collier-Hezel. "That way, I don't need to
vaccinate my children and worry about the risk factors because of the
vaccines themselves." They've read government reports saying the risks
are minimal, but still fear vaccines can be a trigger for children
genetically susceptible to developmental problems and autoimmune
illnesses. Collier-Hezel's concerns also come from personal experience.
She has multiple sclerosis, and, from research she has read, believes
the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine, known as MMR, may have
contributed to it. She and her husband have received a religious
exemption to sidestep New York State's Public Health Law mandating
vaccinations.
Buffalo couple Patrick and Julie O'Neill will not immunize their
2-year-old son and new baby, due soon. They, like the Hezels, believe in
a more holistic approach, in which as little as possible should be done
to
compromise the body's natural healing abilities. "After looking at as
much information as possible, we didn't find overwhelming evidence on
either side, and the least invasive approach was more consistent with
our philosophy," said Julie O'Neill, an urban planner and attorney. 1%
of parents opt out.
The number of vaccines - and total doses - children are asked to take
has increased significantly in the past two decades. The Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention's Advisory Committee on Immunization
Practices recommends vaccinations against 12 diseases, administered
through 22 injections, during a child's first two years. Shots are
required in New York State as soon as a child begins day care, starting
at 2 months. School requirements begin from prekindergarten through high
school. Nationally, the CDC reports that 1 percent of parents opt out of
child vaccinations because of personal objections. The county doesn't
compile statistics on why children are not vaccinated, according to
Sandra Diagostino, an immunization specialist for the Erie County
Department of Health, but she doubts a large percentage are due to
philosophical differences. Buffalo couple Daryl George and Dawn
Lewandowski are considering joining the ranks. They have a 1-year-old
daughter and have not begun immunizations for her. The couple has read
books, done research, even scoured the fine print of vaccine package
inserts - and still anguish over what to do. "We don't feel a baby under
a year that still has a developing immune system and is being breast-fed
is ready to be overloaded with foreign antigens," said George, an
engineer. "We're led to believe the antigens are benign, but I don't
think we fully understand their effect on an immune system."
George fears rare side effects, and even a somewhat common one, in which
some babies cry inconsolably for hours after getting immunized. "We
don't understand what a baby is going through at that point. Is it a
case of "it looks worse than it is'? I think it might be that it's worse
than it looks."
Dr. Richard Judelsohn, medical director of the Erie County Department of
Health, and a pediatrician, says it's a matter of perception. "If you
have very safe vaccines with very low incidents of side effects, and the
diseases are a rarity, the side effects look worse than the disease," he
said. Judelsohn, who lectures nationally on vaccine-related issues, sees
ever-improving advances into vaccines, noting the contents are purer
than ever. He expects to see new combinations of vaccines that will
reduce the number of times a baby's arm must be pricked. And he says
ongoing studies continue to address, and ultimately dismiss theories
that vaccines trigger harmful, long-lasting effects. The results so far
support the prevailing view that vaccinations are safe and that there is
no evidence of a tie found by a British researcher in 1997 between the
MMR vaccine and autism. Critics find encouragement
The National Medical Institute has suggested additional studies into
vaccine safety, and that has given critics like Barbara Loe Fisher
encouragement. Fisher is president and co-founder of the Vienna,
Va.-based National Vaccine Information Center, a consumer watchdog
organization that claims 40,000 supporters. A former medical writer who
grew up in a family of health professionals, Fisher says her
21/2-year-old son Chris' reaction to a dose of diphtheria, pertussis and
tetanus vaccine more than 20 years ago shook her faith in vaccines and
began her crusade for further research and a reform of mandatory vaccine
programs. Fisher's organization successfully lobbied for the DPT vaccine
to be removed, and it was eventually replaced by a different vaccine,
DTaP. She says she hopes the National Medical Institute report will spur
additional research into vaccines. To Curtis Allen, a CDC spokesman,
vaccines are a victim of their own success. "Because parents no longer
see these diseases, they don't think of them as serious. But they are
still circulating; even polio is in other parts of the world. If vaccine
levels were to drop below certain levels, these diseases could return,"
Allen said.
From: Newsletter - Koren Publications, Inc.
To: Recipient list suppressed
Sent: Thursday, November 28, 2002 3:03 AM
Subject: Special Announcement - Good News
Dear Colleague, Here is a special Thanksgiving announcement I'm very
happy to make. A few months ago I (Tedd Koren) was contacted by the
president of the Arkansas Chiropractic Association. He was very upset.
A federal judge had just declared the Arkansas immunization exemption
laws unconstitutional!
Arkansas law does not permit philosophical exemptions so by losing
religious exemptions it was "roll up your sleeves" time for chiropractic
kids and others who didn't want to get shot up with 77 vaccines by age
5. I called Jim Turner, Esq. to discuss this being a battle the new
Foundation for Health Choice could take on for health care freedom.
Jim agreed - we are in our first battle. Although we are very new with
supporters just beginning to help, we've fired the first shot in the
battle to reclaim our health care freedom, and this first shot is no
pop-gun, it's a FEDERAL CASE.
Now here's the GREAT NEWS! The Foundation for Health Choice has filed
an amicus brief in 8th circuit Federal Court of Appeals challenging the
Constitutionality of mandatory vaccinations. This is an historic
document that has the potential to declare all state laws that mandate
vaccinations unconstitutional.
This brief is an opening move in an entire campaign for fight for health
care freedom. Please let us know of any legal battles you know of so we
may continue this work in the legal arena. We are fighting for freedom
in the US (and Canada and Europe).
Here is the actual press release that is going out to all the wire
services. If you'd like a full copy of the entire historic brief see
the bottom of this post:
FEDERAL COURT CHALLENGE TO MANDATORY IMMUNIZATION RAISES ISSUE OF
CONSITUTIONALITY
Petitioners cite risk to life without due process LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -
The constitutionality of mandatory vaccines, based on the expectation
they will kill a certain number of children and substantially harm
others, is now being challenged in federal court. "The lives that are
lost by this program are lost without even a pretense of due process,"
states the "friend of the court" brief filed
in conjunction with an Arkansas case being heard by the Eighth Circuit
Court of Appeals in St. Louis. The brief, submitted jointly by the
Washington, D. C.-based non-profit consumer groups Foundation for
Health Choice and Citizens for Health, also cites a recent federal court
ruling against the death penalty.
In that decision last April, a judge for the Southern District of New
York found the federal capital punishment law unconstitutional based on
findings that some of the people facing execution were actually innocent
of the crimes for which they had been sentenced. That same case logic
should now be applied to the current situation that is bound to result
in the deaths of innocent children, according to the brief.
The vaccine case, as originally heard in two federal district courts,
involves some 125 children whose exemptions from inoculations on
religious grounds were at issue, with a lower court judge ruling that
the exemption was too restrictive.
Through their intervention, the two health organizations have sought to
broaden the significance of the case to that of a life-and-death issue -
the first time such an argument against immunization has been raised in
the courts, according to James S. Turner, the Washington, D.C. attorney
who submitted the brief.
Mandatory immunizations are a routine requirement for attending school,
but without any procedures in place for parental participation in
determining the need for such shots or the adverse effects they might
have on certain children..
The brief contends that "the body of law justifying mandatory vaccine
programs contains limitations on the state power to force vaccination."
It refers to the need for a demonstrable emergency (e.g., a threatened
or actual epidemic); requires a medical opt-out for vaccine-endangered
individuals, and recognizes conscientious objecting.
The petitioners also call for "interested families" to be involved in a
procedure for determining who is likely to be harmed by each vaccine,
and "a way of prioritizing which of the nearly 20 vaccines currently
administered to each child and at what age . will most protect the
community at the least health cost."
Is This Freedom?
a.. Parents cannot decide what's best for their children. By the time
most children are 5 they are must be injected with 77 vaccines; over 200
new vaccines are in production, and many will become mandatory. Your
children may not enter public school/many private schools and colleges
unless they are vaccinated while MDs, school and health care workers
don't inform people of their legal exemption rights.
b.. Laws are being proposed making vaccines mandatory for adults; if
your "vaccine papers" are not up-to-date won't be able to travel by
plane, rent a hotel/motel room or a car according to proposed new
legislation.
c.. Bureaucrats can take your children from you if you don't vaccinate
them; if your newborn doesn't have synthetic Vitamin K injections or
nitrous oxide in their eyes.
d.. Autism spectrum disorder, allergies, asthma, attention deficit
disorder, hyperactivity, dyslexia, vision and hearing deficits,
pervasive developmental disorder, cancer, arthritis, diabetes and many
other conditions that were rare are increasingly being linked to
mandatory childhood vaccinations.
e.. Doctors who use safer alternatives may be fined, lose hospital
privileges, arrested, and lose their license to practice.
f.. Medicine is at least the 3rd and quite possibly the leading cause
of death in the US. Medical care may bankrupt this country by 2040.
Hundreds of thousands of people die each year from Adverse Drug
Reactions of properly prescribed FDA approved drugs, medical mistakes,
malpractice and hospital infections while AT THE SAME TIME.
g.. Alternative health care providers' freedom to practice and teach is
restricted; many Americans are forced to travel to foreign lands at
great expense and risk to avail themselves of less toxic health care
that is illegal in the US; Organized medicine, the pharmaceutical
companies and government agencies not only refuse to change this state
of affairs, they support it.
Had enough? Want to go on the offensive? We're the Foundation for
Health Choice. We're organized medicine and the pharmaceutical
industry's worst nightmare!
We'll fight for your children's freedoms! For your professional
freedom! For your personal freedom!
Please go to www.foundationforhealthchoice.com for information on
donating. All donors at supporter level ($40/month or $480/year) and
higher will receive a copy of this historic amicus brief.
Please write to me at tkoren1@aol.com to request it and we'll upload it
to you.
We're serious in our fight for freedom. Are you? Do you really want
freedom? You've got to fight for it.
Want to donate your time and energies? Please write to me at the above
address. We need you to donate funds, at any amount, to keep this
battle alive.
Would you like to see your children living in a freer world? We'll do
the fighting, we need the ammunition from you. Will you help? Call me
at 215-699-7906 for information.
My children are homeschooled, but we since we live in
Illinois, my oldest attends public school band. I filed my original
exemption 2 years ago and stated that vax were against my "sincerely and
consciously held religious beliefs" ......... well, we got a new
superintendent (which is good, cuz the other one couldn't even tell you
where all of our buildings are) and apparently he looked deeper into the
law and wanted a more specific statement of personal religious belief.
So, I rewrote the exemption and 2 weeks later, I got my letter back from
him. Here in IL it's up to the individual district to determine what is
and is not a valid religious exemption. I agree with Sheri on this ...
they are looking at a lot of constitutional legality... but I am just
glad that they accepted it, because I would have had to have caved... .
I don't have the $$$$ for an attorney!! AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH At least I
know that this is taken care of and I will just have to change the names
when Chase starts band next year, and when Jason returns to public
school full time in 2 years (his choice, I suspect he'll be home after
the first semester).
I worded it just like the link you sent me said ... made up my own
personal belief, and got a response from the superintendent today.
We have recently received your correspondence of November 7, 2002, in
which you set forth your religious objection to teh State immunization
requirements. The District has determined that htis constitutes a valid
religious objection per the requirements of Section 665.51 of Title 77
of the Illinois Administrative Code. As a result, your child will be
excused from the State immunization requirements........
LOLOL.... of course then it goes on to tell me that if there is a
measles outbreak that he'll have to be out of school 21 days AFTER the
onset of the last reported case..... ok, whatever, he only attends band
anyway!!!
Thanks so much for all of your help!
Tracy (oh, the typos are mine, and not in the letter LOL)
http://www.vaccineawareness.org/IllinoisIssues/AllowableVaccineExemptions.htm
more details on the exemption
I'm not sure I agree with the letter
http://www.vaccineawareness.org/IllinoisIssues/Letter_IDPH_Response_Religiou
sExemption10_95.htm
But that is what they say and see the letter to the schools
I have been able to find out some things through other sources. I
would like to share that with you all now. In Virginia, vaccine records
are not required to be obtained in order to do an adoption home study,
at least not for private child placing agencies. Here is a quote from
the Virginia Code The Minimum
Standards for Private Child Placing Agencies: 22VAC40-130-400
"2. A report of a recent medical examination of all members of the
household shall be obtained. It shall report on both mental and physical
health and be signed by the physician. If difficulties are noted,
specialists in the appropriate field shall be consulted. "
Vaccine information on children currently living in the home is not
required by the INS. The INS simply needs to see a statement in the
home study that says: "The children have beeen seen by a physician
and are healthy and free of communicable diseases."
Most agencies, however, do routinely ask for vaccine records and include
information about them in the home study.
I am still investigating as to whether social workers are permitted to
put that info in the home study if the parents object to it being
there. Especially since the people they feel obligated to inform don't
even ask for the info. If anyone out there knows anything about privacy
of medical records and could help me out on this one it would be greatly
appreciated.
I also strongly suggest that anyone who doesn't vax in VA inquire,
before starting the home study, how that agency will handle that issue.
I know of two vaccine choice friendly adoption agencies in Virginia.
Contact me directly for that info. opt2adopt2002@yahoo.com
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/tribune-review/pittsburgh/s_109602.html
Duquesne grants exemption from vaccine
By Bill Zlatos
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Wednesday, December 25, 2002
Lina Bird's conscience will not cost her a $21,000-a-year scholarship at
Duquesne University after all.
Bird, an 18-year-old freshman from Mason Town, W.Va., has been searching
for a new school after Duquesne had told her she could not register for
the spring semester because she refused to get a shot for measles, mumps
and rubella. Bird has refused the vaccine because, she said, some of the
vaccine comes from the stem cells of aborted fetuses.
On Tuesday, however, Duquesne lawyer Linda Drago called the family to
announce that it will let Bird return. As a result, Bird can keep her
Chancellor's Scholarship, which provides free tuition.
"I'm very relieved that it was settled this way," Bird told the
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. "Your call probably did a lot. It did take
them from August until now to figure out a good compromise."
A biology major, Bird said the measles and mumps viruses for the vaccine
are grown on chick embryos, and the rubella part of the vaccine is
isolated from aborted fetuses.
"The way they're grown is not entirely pleasant," said the vegetarian.
"All three (measles, mumps and rubella viruses) have animal tissues
involved, so that violates my philosophy of not doing violence to
animals."
Her mother, Virginija, said: "Morally, ethically, and religiously, as a
Catholic, I feel this is wrong. I used to get vaccinated, but not since
I found this out."
Although opposed to abortion, the Roman Catholic Church is neutral on
whether it is moral to get vaccinations from aborted fetuses, said the
Rev. Ronald Lengwin, spokesman for the Pittsburgh Catholic Diocese.
"Theologians are studying the issue," he said.
The denomination also upholds an individual's right to follow his or her
conscience as long as it is within the church's teachings.
"But," Lengwin said, "it doesn't mean you have to admit that person to
school if you think there's a safety issue at stake."
He said he discussed Bird's case with Duquesne officials, but did not
play a part in the school's decision to exempt her. He noted that
Duquesne President Charles J. Dougherty has a doctorate in bioethics.
Until yesterday, Duquesne accommodated her vegetarian lifestyle and her
disdain for animal research by exempting her from most animal
dissections; however, the Catholic university would not budge on the
shot.
"It's very ironic that had I gone to the University of Pittsburgh or
West Viriginia University or any of the state secular schools, this
would not have come up," Bird said. "But here at a religious Catholic
institution, I'm having a problem."
Penn State University, for example, requires students to show proof of
vaccination for measles, mumps and rubella, said Dr. Margaret Spear,
director of university health services, adding that the university
allows exemptions for any legitimate reason.
Spear said she could not recall any student requesting an exemption on
anti-abortion grounds.
Duquesne's change of heart came less than 24 hours after it had taken a
hard line on the issue during an interview with the Pittsburgh
Tribune-Review.
"The health and well-being of Duquesne University students, employees
and their families are of paramount concern," Duquesne spokesman David
M. Mastovich said Monday. "As a result, Duquesne University does not
grant exemptions for personal reasons."
But yesterday, Duquesne changed its tune.
Mastovich confirmed that the university has adopted a new policy. He
said students seeking an exemption of vaccinations must provide a
written, notarized statement outlining their objections.
"There is a theoretical risk if you allow one student to do it,"
Mastovich admitted.
After analyzing what other universities do, he said Duquesne found that
many schools allow exemptions on a case-by-case basis.
Bird's stance made her the darling of anti-abortion groups.
"To me, she's a little martyr out there standing for a cause," said Debi
Vinnedge, executive director of Children of God for Life in Clearwater,
Fla. - a group that seeks to end the use of aborted fetuses in vaccines.
Bill Zlatos can be reached at bzlatos@tribweb.com or (412) 320-7828.
COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA
CERTIFICATE OF RELIGIOUS EXEMPTION
Name ____________________________________ Birth Date
_______________________
Student I.D. Number __________________________________
The administration of immunizing agents conflicts with
the above named
student's/my religious tenets or practices. I
understand, that in the occurrence of an
outbreak, potential epidemic or epidemic of a
vaccine-preventable disease in my/my
child's school, the State Health Commissioner may order
my/my child's exclusion
from school, for my/my child's own protection, until the
danger has passed.
_______________________________________________
___________________________
Signature of parent/guardian/student Date
I hereby affirm that this affidavit was signed in my
presence on
This ____________________________________________ Day of
_____________________
Notary Public Seal
Form CRE-1; Rev. 00/92
I
started on this path much like you 8 years ago. You start with just an
inkling of something being wrong about vaccines, and, over time, you learn
the overwhelming truth about how dangerous they are. Your instincts are
correct! Basically, right now, you don't need an exemption to refuse
vaccines. Vaccines are only legally required for school attendance (and
certain professions). Prepare yourself to fight, nonetheless, however,
because most ped. doctors that I know of will refuse to treat a child when
the parents won't vaccinate. You could try saying that you are just going
to wait until he's older before you vaccinate (not telling the doctor that
you're going to wait till he's 110). That might pacify him. More likely,
you would need to find a sympathic doctor. You're fortunate, because I'm
sure there will be many in your area. If no one on this list knows of one,
you can check with PROVE, which is a Texas based group that fights to
protect parents' rights to refuse vaccines. If you want to tell the doctor
you have now that you object on religious grounds, no one can question that
(although he still has the right to refuse to treat you). The Courts have
already declared that an individual's personal objections to vaccination can
not be gainsayed. You don't have to have a specific belief system to claim
the religious exemption. I, for instance, say that I oppose vaccination
because God gave us an immune system to protect us and that it is a sin to
inject toxins into the body to try to prevent disease; it is an affront to
God and shows a lack of faith in his provision. Also, the body is meant to
be a temple, and must not be polluted with chemicals, etc. I hope you'll be
lucky and your doctor will be one of the sympathetic ones; it could just
happen!
I would encourage you to check out Alan Phillip's web site:
http://www.unc.edu/~aphillip/www/chf/index.htm
He shows examples of how to write a religious exemption letter; his examples
are ones that worked for NC (which also does not have a philosophical
exemption). They would probably work as well for VA, since I believe the
laws are similiar. Your religious exemption does not need to be tied to a
particular denomination, just based on your personal beliefs. I was
originally going to suggest that you get in touch with Walene James (author
of "Immunization: The Reality Behind the Myth"). When I first read a
borrowed copy of her book many years ago, it had a number for a group in VA;
when I called it, it turned out to be her home number! I got to talk to her
and her husband for quite a while. Unfortunately, I own a newer copy of the
book that doesn't have that info in it. Maybe you can do a web search and
see if you can find her email. I'm sure she is an expert on the legalities
of vaccination in VA after what her family went through. Have you tried
getting in touch with any local support groups in VA? You can link to the
VIA page (look for "state information") through NVIC's
page(www.909shot.com); VIA usually has support group info for each state.
The good thing is that NVIC is based in VA. I'm sure they could help direct
you if you need it.
The following is Helen Tucker's valiant attempt at
getting a religious exemption for West Virginia. This defeat should concern
us all. It is important the we all get involved in government or those of us
in the other states that have a religious exemption, may lose it.
Just thought you would all like to hear this good news.
West Virginia is one of 2 states that does not currently permit a religious
exemption to vaccination.
SB 136 passed the Senate in West Virginia reinstating the religious
exemption to vaccination. It passed 37-0. We go into the House next week.
The session ends on Friday.
As some of you know, we've been busy fighting for a bill
that would allow religious exemptions here in WV. In the past 4 years, the
bill has never gone past the first committee. This year, it not only passed
the Senate committee, but passed the Senate floor UNANIMOUSLY (34-0). Then
it passed the House committee, and tomorrow, it goes to the House floor for
the final vote. (If you are the praying sort, please think of us!)
Opponents to exemptions are furious. They have the nurses association up in
arms. They are passing out a 4 page handout to all the delegates.
The cover page says:
"Do you love your children and grandchildren?
Is YOUR child or grandchild worth the risk?
Compare the risks: Disease vs. Immunization
KILL SB 136 BEFORE IT KILLS OUR CHILDREN AND OUR FUTURE."
It proceeds to list arguments, point by point, of how unvaccinated children
"endanger...the community at large." Mostly, they list unreferenced
statistics on how many people diseases killed or injured, and how each
disease disappeared after vaccinations. Here are some examples of the points
in the handout:
* ...If vaccinations were stopped, each year 2.7 million deaths worldwide
could be expected.
* Clearly, the critical issue is whether some parents should be allowed to
place other people's children at increased risk for disease by refusing
immunizations for their own children....
* Make no mistake: The consequences of ignoring safe and effective
immunizations are real and can be lethal. The effort to undermine vaccines
seeks to capitalize on a distorted perception of risk....vaccines represent
infinitely far less risk than the diseases they prevent.
* As one mother said, "I don't want my child to be the one in 3 million who
has a bad reaction to a vaccine. But I also don't want mine to be the one in
10 that dies if they get the disease. I'd rather take my chances with the
one in 3 million than the one in 10."
Can you believe it? How do you respond to this kind of unbelievable
stupidity?
Thanks for letting me vent.
Helen
http://www.herald-dispatch.com/2003/March/08/LNlist5.htm
Religious exemptions for child immunization fails
By REBECCAH CANTLEY-FALK - The Herald-Dispatch
CHARLESTON -- A bill that would have allowed parents with religious reasons
to keep their children from being immunized met defeat in the House of
Delegates Friday after an unexpected floor debate.
The bill (SB136) received wide approval in the Health and Human Resources
Committee and was expected to pass. But several delegates who originally
supported the bill said Friday's debate changed their minds. The bill failed
28-71 with one member absent or not voting.
"We have revisited the roots of democracy," Health and Human Resources
Chairman Don Perdue, D-Wayne, said. "We have said that no one person can be
the gatekeeper." The eight delegates from Cabell and Wayne counties were
split evenly for and against the bill. Voting for it were Greg Howard,
R-Cabell; Jody Smirl, R-Cabell; Kelli Sobonya, R-Cabell and Perdue. Voting
against it were Margarette Leach, D-Cabell; Jim Morgan, D-Cabell; Kevin
Craig, D-Cabell and Richard Thompson, D-Wayne.
Several delegates, including Craig, said they made their decisions by
weighing individual rights and the public good. "As a parent of two children
under the age of four and having just gone through this (immunizations) with
our pediatrician . I could not think of putting our children at risk by not
immunizing them or putting other children at risk," Craig said.
Those who supported the bill, including Sobonya, pointed out that 48 states
allow a religious exemption and that in West Virginia exemptions are given
for medical reasons. "There are already children in schools with medical
exemptions," Sobonya said. "So what's wrong with this exemption?"
Other delegates said some children have adverse reactions to immunizations
and that the state shouldn't be involved in making parental decisions. "Who
is responsible for making decisions about children -- the state or parents?"
asked Delegate Ann Calvert, R-Kanawha. "I believe it's the parents."
Thank you Wendy and Jody for your sympathy. I had to have
a good cry myself. We worked SO hard on it, only to lose to a bunch of
utterly groundless lies.
We should be able to try again next year. Boy I WISH someone would take it
to the Supreme Court. Wouldn't that be nice. But get this, the opposing
delegate told me that she is working with people to draft a bill in Congress
to rescind religious exemptions in ALL states. I kid you not.
In view of this and the "State should be able to force everyone to be
vaccinated" sentiment expressed in the recent Time magazine editorial, I am
thinking that the vaccine choice movement can no longer afford to simply
reach a few parents who are concerned. I don't know, but I'm wondering if we
need some serious grassroots revolution in questioning vaccine policy in
this country. You know, have vaccine education workshops in every state,
lobbying politicians, educating community and church leaders, etc. It seems
like most of us are connected very loosely through isolated egroups like
this one. I wonder if we can unite and work together a little bit more than
we do. For example, have a standard template for vaccine education workshops
that we can share with anyone who wants to conduct one.
How we are going to do this while taking care of our vaccine-injured
children or our own vaccine-injured selves, I don't know. But I sure would
like to see that happen.
Just thinking out loud.
Helen
We should be able to try again next year. Boy I WISH someone would take
it to the Supreme Court. Wouldn't that be nice. But get this, the
opposing delegate told me that she is working with people to draft a bill in
Congress to rescind religious exemptions in ALL states. I kid you not.
In view of this and the "State should be able to force everyone to be
vaccinated" sentiment expressed in the recent Time magazine editorial, I
am thinking that the vaccine choice movement can no longer afford to simply
reach a few parents who are concerned.
---------------Transcript 3/4/03-----------------
Barbara Hatfield: ...I'm a nurse, and we got the information down here.
There's a bill in Congress supported by the American Medical Association
that they are going to try to rescind [religious exemptions] in other
states. It's a public health thing to me...[unclear]
Helen: [interrupts] Sure. Well, I understand that it is a public health
issue, but the point is though if people do have religious convictions such
as myself, I either have to go against these convictions or move out of the
state. So is your position that we should just move out of the state?
Barbara Hatfield: I think we'll probably try to get the other states
rescinded. I think that's what the move would be...
Helen: [interrupts] That's 47 other states. We can't speak for them. Do you
see what I'm saying? We are speaking for West Virginia right now.
Barbara Hatfield: I have religious convictions too. My husband, I'm divorced
now, went to the Baptist Theological Seminary...
Helen: For example, are you aware that some vaccines use tissue...
Barbara Hatfield: [interrupts] They don't anymore. We've already checked
into that.
Helen: No, no, they do, they've got cell lines....
Barbara Hatfield: We've got the things from CDC [unclear]... in 1960, we've
got all the statements that they don't anymore..
Helen: No, no. The cell lines are derived from 2 abortions, once in the 70's
and once in the 60's. They're not from fresh abortions, they're from old
abortions. But still, if I have a religious conviction that I cannot support
the pharmaceutical companies that would use such cell lines, then do I have
to move from the state, is that what you're saying?
Barbara Hatfield: I'm not going to discuss it anymore, because no matter
what you say, I'm not going to change my position.
Helen: I'm not asking you to change your position. I'm asking you to state
your position. Are you saying that I should move from the state if I don't
like it?
Barbara Hatfield: No, I don't think you should move from the state because
we're going to try to rescind it.
Helen: The point is it is NOT rescinded in other states. Right now,
Pennsylvania does have religious exemption, so are you saying I should just
move to Pennsylvania?
Barbara Hatfield: I'm saying I would rather you stay in West Virginia...
Helen: And go against my convictions?
Barbara Hatfield: Uh huh. And homeschool your kid so that you don't go in
with the....
Helen: [interrupts] And if my husband should die, and I can't homeschool,
then you're saying I should move to Pennsylvania?
Barbara Hatfield: I'm not telling you to move to Pennsylvania. I hope you
stay in here in West Virginia.
Helen: Okay...
Barbara Hatfield: Bye.
http://www.cyberbreezes.com/health/vac-exp-l.htm
"We believe in God, and
that God has created us in his image. In being created in God's image, we
are given his perfect immune system. We are bestowed with His gift, the
immune system. We believe it is sacrilegious and a violation of our sacred
religious beliefs to violate what God has given us by showing a lack of
faith in God. Immunizations are a lack of faith in God and His way, the
immune system."
Here is an excerpt from my book, The Vaccine Guide.
Military Service
All branches of the armed services do have "immunization waivers." Anyone
who enlists must state his or her objection to vaccination at that time. The
waiver may take the form of religious exemption based on "religious
conscience," or a medical exemption, such as allergies or a low tolerance to
medication of any kind. Future refusal of vaccination in the absence of this
initial objection could result in dire consequences. Anyone who experiences
difficulties in obtaining an exemption should follow the same instructions
outlined in the section on religious exemptions discussed above in relation
to the education system.
Here is the relevant section of the code.
Paragraph 13 of AFJI 48-110
13. Waivers. The respective Surgeons General and CG MPC or Commandant (G-K)
grant permanent immunization waivers for military or civilian personnel
(employed by the military or training under military sponsorship). Such
waivers are granted only in the case of legitimate religious objections to
Immunization and are revoked if necessary to ensure the accomplishment of
the military mission. Authority to grant temporary waivers is delegated as
follows;
13.1. Army only. Medical authority at major commands.
13.2. Air Force only. Major command surgeons.
13.3. Navy and Marine Corps only. The Chief, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery.
13.4. Waivers from private physicians based on personal beliefs or attitudes
are not authorized.
13.5. Forward to the appropriate commander or surgeon waivers for religious
objections.
13.5.1. Include full name, rank, and SSN; name of recognized religious group
and the date of the applicant's affiliation; supporting certification signed
by an authorized personal religious counselor. The counselor attests that
the applicant is an active member in good standing of the espoused religious
group, adheres to tenets consistent with the espoused religious beliefs and
the religious group has a tenet or belief opposing immunizations.
13.6. Commanders ensure counseling of the applicant is provided by a medical
officer and documented in the health record. The following Information is
included in the counseling:
13.6.1. Noncompliance with immunization requirements adversely impact
deployability and administrative actions may be taken.
13.6.2. Additional risk to health on exposure to disease against which
he/she is not protected.
13.6.3. Possibility he/she may be detained during travel across
international borders in accordance with international health regulations.
13.6.4. Possibility that if a waiver is granted the waiver can be revoked if
he/she is at imminent risk of exposure to a disease for which an
immunization is available. This is in keeping with the tenets concerning
involuntary therapeutic care when military mission accomplishment may be
compromised.
Randall Neustaedter, OMD
Classical Medicine Center
1779 Woodside Rd Suite 201C
Redwood City, CA 94061
650 299-9170
Author of The Vaccine Guide, North Atlantic Books, 2002
www.cure-guide.com
The response from Tracy was very much on target for the
Vaccine Exemption Laws in Illinois. www.vaccineawareness.org has the Il
statues and how to use them. Make sure your letter is in your own words as
we have heard that some have been rejected because the letter was not their
own. Make sure that you use the phrase "personal religious" exemption. This
means this is your belief, not one of an organized religion. The state is
trying to weed out philosophical objections.
The one thing that makes it a little more difficult in IL is that there are
no definitive guidelines in the law for acceptance of a letter or who makes
this decision. Some districts -it is the superintendent, others- it may be
the nurse, secretary or county public health official.
If this is for pre-school, the law states that "not vaccinating" has to be
in the tennants of your organized religion. Yes, to ask your religious
affiliation is against the 1st admendment of the Constitution. (we are
trying to get the pre-school law changed) Therefore, we have noticed that if
you follow the directions the law gives for exemption letters for k-college,
not many preschools push it. If this is a private pre-school, you may have
no problem at all. Only public schools have to abide by the vaccination
laws, private schools (who take no public funding) can do as they please.
What we have noticed in the last year is that the school districts in the
suburban Chicago area are starting to question medical exemptions. Many drs
in the area that use to write out medical exemptions are now counseling
their patients on writing personal religious exemptions.
Also, if your school rejects your letter, ask them to please put their
objections in writing. It's amazing how this request gets their feathers
ruffled and many times they back down. Keep your letter short and concise -
2 paragraphs max.
Good luck. If you need help with your letter, feel free to call the Illinois
Vaccine Awareness Coalition at 847-836-0488. Or email it to us at wiedb@aol.com
or fax it to 847-428-6366. We'd be glad to go over it with you.
Sherry Wied,
IL Vaccine Awareness Coalition
Dear Florida citizens and KNOW supporters:
Regarding the right to religious exemption from vaccination, most people are
under the mistaken notion that in order to obtain an exemption they must
prove membership in a recognized religious denomination that expressly
declares a conflict between its tenets and the practice of vaccination. In
1998, the Florida Supreme Court clarified the statutory language regarding
religious exemption. The Florida vaccination statute clearly limits the
authority of the state and of the agents involved in administering vaccine
policy. Agents of the state may not question a person's religious
convictions and they are prohibited from demanding any administrative proof
documenting his/her beliefs.
Unaware of these limitations, many parents who have sincere religious
objections to vaccination but who do not belong to a recognized religion
that expressly states a conflict will reluctantly permit the administration
of vaccinating agents. Public health officials and agents of the state who
administer vaccinating agents (physicians) and who enforce vaccination
requirements (school administrators) do not inform parents who question
vaccine policy of the ease with which they may claim religious exemption --
either because these agents are themselves uninformed or because they wish
to deny parents the right to religious exemption.
While you may already have an authorized religious exemption, a review of
the following answers to frequently asked questions about the religious
exemption process will clarify this information and enhance your own
understanding of the vaccination statute. This information is also inserted
at the bottom as a Word Document for easy duplication. Please distribute
this information to other parents and citizens who are looking to be more
informed about vaccine issues. Thank you for your support.
Toni Krehel, AP
Beaches Acu-Medical Center
Vaccine Awareness of Florida
K.N.O.W. Vaccines - Kids Need Options With Vaccines
www.know-vaccines.org
"The strength of evil lies in the weakness of good people." Saint Pius V
"No nation is permitted to live in ignorance with impunity." Thomas
Jefferson
Frequently Asked Questions About Religious Exemption
The 2002 Florida Statutes codify regulations for Public K-12 Education under
Title XLVIII in Chapter 1003. The mandates for vaccination requirements and
exemption provisions are specified in section 1003.22. Note: This statute
was previously organized under Chapter 232 in section 232.032. While the
placement of these regulations has changed, the statutory language remains
the same.
Q: What is a religious exemption?
A: A religious exemption is a formal record that verifies authorized
exemption from forced compliance of state vaccination requirements and is
necessary only for entry into a public or private school. A religious
exemption is for anyone who has a sincere religious conflict with
vaccination. A religious objection may be expressly implied by religious
denomination or it may be based on an individual’s own moral/spiritual
conscience to live God’s Word.
Q: What constitutes a religious conflict with vaccination?
A: All vaccines are made in violation of God’s Word. Vaccines are made with
toxic chemicals that are injected into the bloodstream by vaccination. All
vaccines are made with foreign proteins (viruses and bacteria), and some
vaccines are made with genetically engineered viral and bacterial materials.
A conflict arises if you believe that man is made in God’s image and the
injection of toxic chemicals and foreign proteins into the bloodstream is a
violation of God’s directive to keep the body/temple holy and free from
impurities. Vaccines are produced in animal tissues. A conflict arises if
you accept God’s warning not to mix the blood of man with the blood of
animals. Some vaccines are produced in aborted fetal tissue. A conflict
arises if your religious convictions are predicated on the belief that all
life is sacred. God’s commandment “Thou Shall Not Kill” applies to the
practice of abortion. When it is believed that the practice of abortion
should not be encouraged or supported in any manner, a conflict may arise
with vaccines produced in aborted fetal tissue even though you didn’t have
anything to do with the abortions from which the vaccines are made from.
Q: What religions qualify for religious exemption?
A: The statutory language for Florida vaccine policy clearly states that
religious exemption must be granted without question if vaccination
conflicts with a person’s religious convictions. The public health
department is prohibited from requesting ANY administrative proof that
explains the recipient's religious belief or that proves membership in an
"acceptable" or specific religion. The state may NOT discriminate between
religious denominations and may NOT make judgments regarding religious
convictions.
Q: How do I obtain a religious exemption from vaccination?
A: A religious exemption from vaccination requirements must be obtained
from the Department of Health, i.e. any county health department. A county
public health director must authorize exemption. Certification of authorized
religious exemption is recorded on HRS form #681. This form is available at
the country health department and must be signed by a county public health
director.
Q: Is the religious exemption process the same in every Florida county?
A: Whether you live in Manatee County, Palm Beach County, or St. Johns
County, the procedure for getting a religious exemption from vaccination is
the same. The Florida statutes regarding vaccination are state requirements
that apply to all students enrolled in public and private schools. It is not
necessary to obtain a religious exemption from the public health department
in the county where you reside. All county health departments are obliged to
authorize a religious exemption when requested.
Q: Is it necessary to schedule an appointment in advance with the county
health director to obtain a religious exemption?
A: It is not necessary to schedule an appointment in advance to request a
religious exemption from forced compliance of vaccine requirements. To date,
the directive to county health departments from the Tallahassee Immunization
Agency regarding the handling of requests for religious exemption is not
uniformly followed throughout the state. Some public health officials are
very reluctant to honor the religious beliefs of individuals and will resist
authorization of religious exemption by making unlawful requests for
administrative proof, by making false statements regarding the religious
exemption process, using intimidating language to discourage your request,
or by delaying or refusing to make appointments with the county director.
Whether you make an appointment or request an exemption on demand by
walk-in, county health officials may not discriminate against religious
beliefs and must grant a religious exemption without question.
Q: What information do I need to provide the county health department when I
request a religious exemption?
A: Florida law provides that you are entitled to a religious exemption with
no questions asked. When requesting a religious exemption, it is NOT
necessary to provide any administrative evidence that proves your religious
beliefs. It is also not necessary to discuss any other particulars regarding
your beliefs or your child’s health history. Agents of the state may not ask
for religious documentation, letters from religious leaders, church
membership, or vaccine records. The social security number of the individual
for whom a religious exemption may be requested, but it is not required. You
need only provide valid identification.
Q: Can I get an exemption from some vaccines?
A: The vaccine dilemma applies to both the decision to or not to vaccinate
as well as to the decision to vaccinate with only specific vaccines. In the
first case, the decision not to vaccinate is based on a belief that all
vaccination is inherently dangerous by virtue of the fact that (1) all
vaccines are toxic, (2) the theory that vaccination improves immune function
is flawed, and/or (3) injecting harmful substances, including attenuated
diseases, into the blood stream is ethically immoral. In the second case,
the theory that vaccination improves immune function is not disputed even
though it is acknowledged that there are known risks associated with
vaccination. In this case, the goal is to vaccinate for only the diseases
that one is fearful of being infected with. If you believe that some
vaccines can be useful, then you should have the right to decide on one,
some or all vaccines, and you should be able to determine when to have them
administered. Unfortunately, public health law and conventional medical
wisdom do not allow for that kind of freedom and discernment. Your only
options with current vaccine policy are to (1) comply with accepted vaccine
standards and all mandates, or (2) have religious objections to vaccination.
You may not pick and choose and/or decide when to have them. It is either
all or nothing.
Q: Can I get an exemption even though my child has had some shots?
A: Whether your child has had one vaccine or some, you may find at any time
during your child's development that your beliefs about vaccination change.
When the practice of vaccination conflicts with your religious beliefs,
Florida law provides that you are entitled to a religious exemption with no
questions asked. When you request an exemption, vaccine history is not
relevant to the fact that vaccination convicts with your religious beliefs.
Q: Will the county health department authorize exemption and issue the
religious exemption form at the time my request for exemption is made?
A: Yes.
Q: What should I do if the county health department denies my request for
exemption, delays authorization, questions my beliefs, or otherwise
intimidates my sincere beliefs?
A: If you find that your request for religious exemption is handled in such
a manner, remain confident that Florida law upholds your right to a
religious exemption. If the county health director requests administrative
proof that your religion expressly states a conflict with vaccination and/or
the director requests proof of membership or affiliation with a specific
denomination, you may politely remind the official that it is not necessary
to provide this information and, in fact, they are prohibited from
requesting this information. If the county health director seems unsure of
how to proceed with the religious exemption process without the information
that they are requesting, tell them to call the Tallahassee Immunization
Agency for direction on how to comply and tell them you will wait since it
will only take a minute for them to get this information. If your request
for a religious exemption is still denied, be sure to take down the public
health official’s name and report this negligence to the Tallahassee
Immunization Agency, the Liberty Counsel, and/or your attorney. You may
request an exemption from another county health department.
Q: What do I have to present to my child’s school if I wish to claim a
religious exemption?
A: Florida vaccination law states that the statutory provisions for
vaccination requirements prior to enrollment in school do not apply if the
parent or guardian of the child objects in writing that vaccination
conflicts with his or her religious tenets or practices. The statute implies
that a letter is sufficient notice for exemption from statutory vaccination
requirements. In practice, however, the authorization for religious
exemption by a county health department is recorded on the same form that a
child’s vaccine history is detailed by his/her physician. The statutes
requires that prior to admittance to or attendance at a public or private
school, grades preschool through 12, parents must provide the school with
certification of vaccination status. This certification is recorded on HRS
form #681. This form is signed and filled out by either the child's
physician -- indicating the child's vaccination history -- OR -- signed by a
county health director authorizing religious exemption. HRS form #681 proves
either up-to-date vaccine compliance or religious exemption from vaccination
requirements.
Q: What documentation should I keep on hand to prove authorized religious
exemption from forced compliance of vaccination requirements?
A: Although in practice it is not necessary to provide a written letter
expressing a religious conflict with vaccination in order to receive
authorization for religious exemption, it is nevertheless a good idea to
have on file a dated written letter along with a copy of the Florida statute
and either the original or a copy of your authorized religious exemption,
HRS form #681.
Q: Do I need to give the school the original HRS form #681 or will a copy
of this form suffice?
A: The statute does not specify that the original HRS form #681 must be
submitted to the school administrator. The statutory language stipulates
that the school board of each district and the governing authority of each
nonpublic school shall have on file, prior to admittance or attendance, a
certification of vaccination for each student, grades preschool through 12.
Such certification is HRS form #681 and is provided by the Department of
Health and shall become a part of each student’s permanent record, to be
transferred when the student transfers, is promoted, or changes schools. The
transfer of such certification by Florida public schools shall be
accomplished using the Florida Automated System for Transferring Education
Records and shall be deemed to meet the requirements of this section. Since
the statute stipulates that records are to be transferred from one school to
another electronically, a copy of the original document should suffice. If
your child’s school administrator insists on having the original document,
inquire as to the reasoning of this request. You may refer to the statutory
language that stipulates student records are transferred from one school to
another electronically.
Q: Can a school or day-care refuse my religious exemption?
If you have an authorized religious exemption, no public or private school
administrator may question your religious beliefs. No agent of the state may
DENY a student with an authorized religious exemption admission to school or
day-care facility. School administrators MAY NOT require additional
administrative proof of religious conviction (including name of church
affiliation or letters from pastors). School administrators MAY NOT
discriminate against religious beliefs or make judgments regarding
exemptions. A school administrator’s ONLY authority/role in the matter of
vaccine mandates is to comply with the state’s administrative requests,
namely to obtain from the parent and retain on file an HRS form #681 for
each student enrolled. HRS form #681 proves either up-to-date vaccine
compliance or religious exemption from vaccination requirements. School
administrators have no other role in vaccine laws.
Q: Do the Florida vaccination statutes apply to children who are
home-schooled?
A: The statutes do not apply to children who are home-schooled. The
requirements for forced compliance of vaccination apply only to children
enrolled in public schools, private schools or day-care facilities.
Q: Is my religious exemption valid in other states?
A: No. Each state has their own specific laws regarding vaccination
requirements. Your authorized religious exemption from forced compliance of
vaccination applies to enrollment and attendance at Florida schools only. It
will not be recognized/accepted by schools in another state. For specific
state vaccination requirements and/or information regarding provisions for
religious exemption, you may contact the National Vaccine Information Center
for referral to their state affiliates for vaccine information. Currently,
only two states (West Virginia and Mississippi) do not provide for religious
exemption from forced compliance of vaccine requirements.
Q: In the event the public health department declares a public health
emergency and issues orders for mass vaccination, will my religious
exemption prevent state agents from forcing compliance?
A: Yes and No. In response to bioterrorism fears, the Florida legislature
approved and Governor Jeb Bush signed into law the original coercive version
of the MEHPA (Model Emergency Health Powers Act) which gives unelected
public health officials the power to force vaccination with any means
necessary (including at gunpoint) and without exception. Even though the
statutory language provides that quarantine will be an option for those who
do not want to be vaccinated, the statute also stipulates that the unelected
public health official may decide quarantine is not feasible so vaccination
may be enforced. On the other hand, the Homeland Security Act signed into
law by President Bush provides for voluntary vaccination. Thus, religious
objection is protected. However, it is not clear whether the state or
federal law would take precedence in the event of a declared public health
emergency.
K.N.O.W. Vaccines 904-280-0546 www.know-vaccines.org
http://www.access1.net/via/STATES/req-tn.htm
CALIFORNIA CODES
HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE
SECTION 120325-120380
120365. Immunization of a person shall not be required for admission to a
school or other institution listed in Section 120335 if the parent or
guardian or adult who has assumed responsibility for his or her care and
custody in the case of a minor, or the person seeking admission if an
emancipated minor, files with the governing authority a letter or affidavit
stating that the immunization is contrary to his or her beliefs. However,
whenever there is good cause to believe that the person has been exposed to
one of the communicable diseases listed in subdivision (a) of Section
120325, that person may be temporarily excluded from the school or
institution until the local health officer is satisfied that the person is
no longer at risk of developing the disease.
120370. If the parent or guardian files with the governing authority a
written statement by a licensed physician to the effect that the physical
condition of the child is such, or medical circumstances relating to the
child are such, that immunization is not considered safe, indicating the
specific nature and probable duration of the medical condition or
circumstances that contraindicate immunization, that person shall be exempt
from the requirements of Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 120325, but
excluding Section 120380) and Sections 120400, 120405, 120410, and 120415 to
the extent indicated by the physician's statement.
Here it is for New Mexico.
Exemptions
Parents have the right to refuse immunizations for medical, religious, or
philosophical reasons. Medical exemptions must be signed by the child's
physician on letterhead paper and a copy sent to the NM Immunization
Program. Religious/ philosophical exemption forms must be filled out,
officially notarized, and returned to the NM Immunization Program for
filing. A copy will be given to the parent or guardian to present to the
school/daycare. Immunization exemption forms must be renewed and resubmitted
every school year.
Click here to download the NM Immunization Exemption Form (pdf)
http://www.health.state.nm.us/Preview/Immunize/NMID/Pages/Public/sched/COform.pdf
Completed medical or CO exemption forms must be returned to the Immunization
Program either by:
1) Mail:
Celina Lopez
Attn: Immunization Exemption form
Immunization Program
NM Department of Health
1190 St. Francis Dr.
Santa Fe, NM 87505
2) Fax: 505-827-1741 or
3) Or electronically (scanned and emailed):
clopez@doh.state.nm.us
Occupational Exemptions
This exemption is for the Hepatitis B vaccine for any professions which may
require a Hepatitis B vaccine for employment.
OSHA Regulations (Standards-29CFR) "Hepatitis B Vaccine Declination
(Mandatory) - 1910.1030 App A"
http://www.osha-slc.gov/OshStd_data/1910_1030_APP_A.html
[Found an actual letter form. This doc file can be edited for your
particular job situation]
JOSEPH F. SULLIVAN CENTER
CLEMSON UNIVERSITY MEDICAL SURVEILLANCE PROGRAM
OSHA Regulations (Standards - 29 CFR)
Hepatitis B Vaccine Declination (Mandatory) - 1910.1030 App A
I understand that due to my occupational exposure to blood or other
potentially infectious materials I may be at risk of acquiring hepatitis B
virus (HBV) infection. I have been given the opportunity to be vaccinated
with hepatitis B vaccine, at no charge to myself. However, I decline
hepatitis B vaccination at this time. I understand that by declining this
vaccine, I continue to be at risk of acquiring hepatitis B, a serious
disease. If in the future I continue to have occupational exposure to blood
or other potentially infectious materials and I want to be vaccinated with
hepatitis B vaccine, I can receive the vaccination series at no charge to
me.
Name (please print): ______________________________________
Signature _______________________________________________
Date: __________
[56 FR 64004, Dec. 06, 1991, as amended at 57 FR 12717, April 13, 1992; 57
FR 29206, July 1, 1992; 61 FR 5507, Feb. 13, 1996]
Hepb-decline
8/03
http://www.clemson.edu/caah/MSP/enrollment_forms/
OSHA_Hepatitis_B_Decline.doc
from Jeff Rense's site....
http://www.rense.com/health/no.htm
Mr. & Mrs. John Smith
123 Alphabet Way
Anytown, NJ 12345
(555) 555-5555
Mr. Tom Jones, Ed. D., Director
George Washington School
456 Washington Avenue
Anytown, NJ 12345 (555) 555-0000
Statement Of Religious Objection To Immunization
In accordance with NJ State Statute 26:1A-9.1 1974, and Section 8:57-4.4
N.J.A.C. 1995, I hereby certify that the administration of vaccine and other
immunizing agents to my child, Breanna Paige Smith, is contrary to my
Religious beliefs, held either individually or jointly with others, and I
therefore request that my child be exempted from the school immunization
requirements of NJ State Statute 26:1A-9 1974, and Section 8:57-4.1 N.J.A.C.
1995.
We believe in God, and that God has created us in his image. In being
created in God,s image, we are given his perfect immune system. We are
bestowed with His gift, the immune system. I believe it is sacrilegious and
a violation of my sacred religious beliefs to violate what God has given us
by showing a lack of faith in God. Immunizations are a lack of faith in God
and His way, the immune system. I believe that receiving immunizations shows
God that I have no faith in His promises of protection for us, saying that I
trust man more than His holy words of protection for us. We believe in
Jesus, and his many promises of protection for us if we place our trust in
Him.
My religious beliefs are also based upon the understanding of what God
requires of them as provided for in the Bible. 1 Corinthians 8:6
Yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for
whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and
through whom we exist. 2 Corinthians 6:16-7:1
For we are the temple of the living God; and God said, " I will live in them
and move among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
Therefore come out from them and be separate from them, and be separate from
them, says the Lord, and touch nothing unclean; and I will welcome you, and
I will be a father to you, and you shall be my sons and daughters, says the
Almighty." Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves
from every defilement of body and spirit, and make holiness perfect in the
fear of God.Romans 14:14
I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself;
but it is unclean for any one who thinks it unclean. 1 Corinthians 12:24-27
But God has adjusted the body, giving the greater honor to the inferior
part, that there may be not discord in the body, but that the members may
have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer
together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. Now you are in the
body of Christ and individually members of it. 1Corinthians 11:29-30
For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks
judgement upon himself. That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some
of you have died. Mark 2:17
And hearing this, Jesus said to them, "It is not those who are healthy who
need a physician, but those who are sick; I did not come to call the
righteous, but sinners." Mark 10:26-28
And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to him " Then who can be
saved?" Jesus looked at them and said, "With men it is impossible, but not
with God; for all things are possible with God." 1 Corinthians 2:5
That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of
God. Mark 5:34
And he said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace and
be healed of your disease." Ephesians 2:8-10
For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not your own
dong, it is the gift of God - not because of works, lest any man should
boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for goods works,
which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Psalms 91:11
For he will give his angels charge of you to guard you in all your ways.
Isaiah 58:11
And the Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy your desire with good
things, and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden,
like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.
I swear that all the foregoing statements are true to the best of my
information, knowledge and belief.
_________________________________________________ _____________________ John
Smith - Father DATE
_________________________________________________ _____________________ Jane
Smith - Mother DATE
Subscribed and Sworn before me this ________ day of _____________________,
2003.
___________________________________________ ATTORNEY'S SIGNATURE
Hello and thank you to everyone who sent me information
regarding the religious exemptions for NJ. I'm happy to say that it ended up
being a non-event; the director barely glanced at my attached letter and
kept on talking about the school. Apparently, I am not the first to submit a
religious exemption at Montessori! Galo started school yesterday without
incident or confrontation, thankfully. Ironically, it would seem the only
schools that are not required to accept a religious exemption are religious
schools.
Regards,
Lisa
Dh did the homework and found the following:
http://www.state.nj.us/health/cd/chap14.htm
(New Jersey Administrative Code Citation 8:57-4.1 to 8:57-4.19 Adopted April
3, 1995; Readopted with amendments September 18, 2000) 8:57-4.1
Applicability
This subchapter shall apply to all children attending any public or private
school, child care center, nursery school, preschool or kindergarten in New
Jersey.
8:57-4.4 Religious exemptions
(a) A child shall be exempted from mandatory immunization if the parent or
guardian objects thereto in a written statement submitted to the school,
preschool, or child care center, signed by the parent or guardian,
explaining how the administration of immunizing agents conflicts with the
pupil's exercise of bona fide religious tenets or practices. General
philosophical or moral objection to immunization shall not be sufficient for
an exemption on religious grounds.
(b) Religious affiliated schools or child care centers shall have the
authority to withhold or grant a religious exemption from the required
immunization for pupils entering or attending their institutions without
challenge by any secular health authority.
(c) This statement will be kept by the school, preschool, or child care
center as part of the child's immunization record.
(d) Those children with religious exemptions from receiving immunizing
agents may be excluded from the school, preschool, or child care center
during a vaccine-preventable disease outbreak or
threatened outbreak as determined by the Commissioner, Department of Health
and Senior Services or his or her designee.
(e) As provided by N.J.S.A. 26:4-6, "Any body having control of a school
may, on account of the prevalence of any communicable disease, or to prevent
the spread of communicable diseases, prohibit the attendance of any teacher
or pupil of any school under their control and specify the time during which
the teacher or scholar shall remain away from school." The Department of
Health and Senior Services shall provide guidance to the school on the
appropriateness of any such prohibition. All schools are required to comply
with the provisions of N.J.A.C. 8:61-1.1 regarding attendance at
school by pupils or adults infected by Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).
(f) Those children enrolled in school, preschool, or child care centers
before September 1, 1991, and who have previously been granted a religious
exemption, shall not be required to reapply for a
new religious exemption under N.J.A.C. 8:57-4.4(a).
There is also information relating exactly how many cases of infectious
disease have been reported by county each year so we could prove that it was
not going to be an issue should the school try to use that to prevent Galo
from enrolling.
Posted: February 23, 2004
5:00 p.m. Eastern
By Ron Strom
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
© 2004 WorldNetDaily.com
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=37258
West Virginia homeschooling families and others were scheduled to stage
two rallies today to protest a proposed bill that would require every
child in the state to have a record of compulsory immunizations.
The legislation, Senate Bill 439, stipulates "any parent or guardian who
refuses to permit his or her child to be immunized" would face a criminal
charge.
The rallies, sponsored by West Virginians for Vaccination Exemption, were
scheduled to take place at the state Capitol in Charleston and outside
the Marion County Courthouse in Fairmont.
"If passed, this bill will turn all West Virginian parents who choose not
to vaccinate for religious reasons into criminals or force them to move
to another state," Helen Tucker, co-founder of WVVE and state chair of
the Libertarian Party of West Virginia, said in a statement.
Unlike 48 other states, West Virginia currently does not have a provision
for a religious or philosophical exemption. However, families can assert
they have sufficient medical reason for not immunizing a child, which
works, in effect, like an exemption. The new bill would do away with that
right.
The legislation, which is sponsored by Sen. Joseph M. Minard and Sen.
Roman Prezioso, both Democrats, also adds hepatitis B and chickenpox
vaccines to the list of mandatory shots. WVVE says the chickenpox vaccine
is manufactured with human cell cultures obtained from abortions and is
objectionable to many parents for religious reasons.
Reads the bill, in part: "The state has a compelling interest in
protecting the health of all citizens of this state, especially our
children. With vaccines widely available to reduce or prevent the
incidence of disease, the state bureau for public health has determined
that the point of school entry is the best time to confirm each child's
record of compulsory immunization from the diseases enumerated in
subsection (c) of this section."
The bill establishes a fine of between $100 and $500 for any parent who
refuses to show the state a valid immunization record for his or her
child.
WVVE is demanding the bill be amended to:
include religious and philosophical exemption from all mandatory
vaccinations;
eliminate all penalties for parents who choose not to vaccinate;
require vaccinations only for children attending school;
restore physicians' rights to exercise individual judgment in issuing
medical exemptions; and
eliminate the state's "compelling interest" that supercedes parental
choice and requires compulsory immunizations for "each child."
The Rev. Thomas J. Euteneuer, president of Human Life International, is
also involved in the protest of the bill.
Commented Euteneuer in a statement: "Along with Mississippi, West
Virginia is the only state to forbid religious vaccine exemptions. This
bill goes even further by prohibiting physicians from granting medical
exemptions according to what they believe is best for each patient.
Senate Bill 439 would also make West Virginia the only state to force
homeschoolers to be immunized.
"It is deplorable that the West Virginia department of health is
attempting to mandate these vaccines without an exemption," said the
minister. "State officials have a moral and legal responsibility to
uphold parents' constitutional right to make an informed decision about
the medical care their children receive. They're taking the fruit of the
poison tree and making us eat it."
The Homeschool Legal Defense Association, or HSLDA, opposes the
legislation.
Scott Woodruff, an attorney with the organization, explained the bill
leaves families with religious or philosophical objections to
vaccinations no recourse.
If the bill passes, Woodruff told WND, "There would be no way a family
with religious exemptions could defend itself. They would have no way of
winning an argument in front of a judge."
Continued Woodruff, "We are going to communicate to our members that this
bill strips parents of important rights." He says HSLDA will e-mail its
members in West Virginia informing them of the proposal.
"This bill would take away a very important right to direct the health
care of children," Woodruff said. "Fundamentally, it's the parents who
should direct the health care of their own children, not the government."
Woodruff mentioned data from the Centers for Disease Control indicate an
exemption from vaccines does not cause a higher occurrence of diseases.
"In areas of preventing disease, we have to give parents wide
discretion," he said.
A second reading of the bill in the state Senate is scheduled for
tomorrow. A final vote could occur as early as Thursday.
Ron Strom is a news editor for WorldNetDaily.com.
My husband has decided to write his own flyer (freely plagiarizing from
Wendy's flyer--she doesn't mind). He will put his name on this. If
anyone want to put their name on this flyer too, you're welcome to join
him. He just thinks calm and rational didn't work last year for our
religious exemption, so we need something confrontational to get their
attention.
Helen
Force ALL Children in West
Virginia to Vaccinate?!
No Exceptions?! No Parental Choice?!
Is YOUR Child Worth the Risk?
Think
Before You Vote on SB 439
COMPARE THE RISK: DISEASE VS. VACCINATION
 | A child killed by a vaccine is just as tragic as a child killed by
illness. Are YOU willing to take complete responsibility for a
death caused by a vaccine? |
| Give parents a choice. They are the ones who live with the
aftermath of a lost or injured child. |
| Do vaccines really work? "This outbreak demonstrates that
transmission of measles can occur within a school population with a
documented immunization level of 100%." -- Measles
outbreak among vaccinated high school students--Illinois. MMWR Morb
Mortal Wkly Rep 1984 Jun 22;33(24):349-51 Are YOU willing to
take responsibility for forcing people to use a product that may not
even work? |
| Give parents a choice. They are the ones who live with the
aftermath of a lost or injured child. |
| Some vaccines are derived from the tissue of an aborted fetus!
Do YOU want to take responsibility for depriving parents of
their right to religious freedom? |
| Give parents a choice. They are the ones who live with the
aftermath of a lost or injured child. |
| Are vaccines really safe? There are no studies done on the
safety of vaccines or their components. Thimerosal, mercury compund is
still in many vaccines including the flu shot and is a powerful
neurotoxin. Vaccines contain some of the most toxic substances on the
planet. Would YOU risk it to avoid chicken pox? |
Help protect our children. Give parents a choice.
Do not force parents to injure their own children by injecting known
poisons into them.
To Delegates of the
House of Representatives
From: David Tucker, Ph.D., Research Scientist, Morgantown, WV
The definition of the word "religious" goes well
beyond reference to belief in the supernatural, let alone any specific
belief in any particular being. The American Heritage Dictionary also
defines religious as "3. Extremely scrupulous or conscientious". So,
if you are scrupulous and conscientious about what you put in your
child's body, YOU QUALIFY! Not vaccinating is one of your religious
(read: scrupulous and conscientious) practices. Hurray.
Here are more
Downloadable Exemption letters, forms, statements and affividavits to
legally abstain from the forced medical experimentation known as
"vaccination".
Vaccination Liberation's exemption page is here. Most of the forms are
there.
http://www.vaclib.org/pdf/exemption.htm
These following letters, statements, affiidavits, etc... are not yet on
our exemption page. Please share this widely.
Kentucky
Vac Lib religious exemption statement for Kentucky. May have turn in to
health dept. to get the official Certificate of Religious Exemption,
depending on the school.
http://forums.cloud-busters.com/files.cfm?fuseaction=files&profileusersname=
messiahmews&briefcasefileidlink=10983
Louisana
http://forums.cloud-busters.com/files.cfm?fuseaction=files&profileusersname=
messiahmews&briefcasefileidlink=5228
Tennessee
Religious Exemption Letter. In some districts, you may be required to
turn this in to the health dept to get the Official Tennesse Certificate
of Religious Exemption. It's a green form.
http://forums.cloud-busters.com/files.cfm?fuseaction=files&profileusersname=
messiahmews&briefcasefileidlink=5226
South Carolina
Religious exemption letter to Health Dept. Obtain the official South
Carolina Certificate of Religious Exemption form
http://forums.cloud-busters.com/files.cfm?fuseaction=files&profileusersname=
messiahmews&briefcasefileidlink=5183
Alabama
Religious Exemption Letter to health dept to obtain the official Alabama
Certificate of Relgious Exemption form.
http://forums.cloud-busters.com/files.cfm?fuseaction=files&profileusersname=
messiahmews&briefcasefileidlink=5227
Nevada
http://forums.cloud-busters.com/files.cfm?fuseaction=files&profileusersname=
messiahmews&briefcasefileidlink=5181
Indiana
http://forums.cloud-busters.com/files.cfm?fuseaction=files&profileusersname=
messiahmews&briefcasefileidlink=5182
Oregon (School Children Religious exemption)
http://forums.cloud-busters.com/files.cfm?fuseaction=files&profileusersname=
messiahmews&briefcasefileidlink=5186
Oregon (Adult Religious Exemption for employment)
http://forums.cloud-busters.com/files.cfm?fuseaction=files&profileusersname=
messiahmews&briefcasefileidlink=5185
Georgia
http://forums.cloud-busters.com/files.cfm?fuseaction=files&profileusersname=
messiahmews&briefcasefileidlink=5222
Georgia Adult (Employment)
http://forums.cloud-busters.com/files.cfm?fuseaction=files&profileusersname=
messiahmews&briefcasefileidlink=5187
District of Columbia (DC)http://forums.cloud-busters.com/files.cfm?fuseaction=files&profileusersname=
messiahmews&briefcasefileidlink=5224
Wisconsin
http://forums.cloud-busters.com/files.cfm?fuseaction=files&profileusersname=
messiahmews&briefcasefileidlink=5239
Vermont
http://forums.cloud-busters.com/files.cfm?fuseaction=files&profileusersname=
messiahmews&briefcasefileidlink=10981
South Dakota
Vaccination Exemption Statement for South Dakota
http://forums.cloud-busters.com/files.cfm?fuseaction=files&profileusersname=
messiahmews&briefcasefileidlink=10984
Pennsylvania
There are several to choose from...
PA Hepatitis B vaccine exemption letter.
http://forums.cloud-busters.com/files.cfm?fuseaction=files&profileusersname=
messiahmews&briefcasefileidlink=10985
PA Religious Exemption Letter for all vaccines.
http://forums.cloud-busters.com/files.cfm?fuseaction=files&profileusersname=
messiahmews&briefcasefileidlink=10986
Statement Of Religious Objection To Immunization in Pennsylvania.doc
(with scriptures).
http://forums.cloud-busters.com/files.cfm?fuseaction=files&profileusersname=
messiahmews&briefcasefileidlink=10987
New Hampshire
New Hampshire Certificate of Religious Exemption. It can also be used
for school children. Also download the letter to turn in along with it.
The bureaucrats may try to refuse the exemption form, but the letter says
it's used for other than child care program.
http://forums.cloud-busters.com/files.cfm?fuseaction=files&profileusersname
=messiahmews&briefcasefileidlink=10988
Letter of explanation to go with the NH Certificate of Religious
Exemption. The exemption form says child care, but this letter from the
NH Dept of Health says it's for school too. Use this letter along with
the NH Religious Exemption.
http://forums.cloud-busters.com/files.cfm?fuseaction=files&profileusersname=
messiahmews&briefcasefileidlink=5189
New Hampshire certificate-religious-exemption-phys-exam. Religious
Exemption from Physical Exams.
http://forums.cloud-busters.com/files.cfm?fuseaction=files&profileusersname=
messiahmews&briefcasefileidlink=10989
Sincerely,
Donna Carrillo, co-director
Vaccination Liberation
http://www.vaclib.org
Jim didn't give us a vaccine exemption letter we can
use per se but he
did give us some guidelines in regards to how to write the letter......
Some things he said specifically were:
-Parents should state their intention in exempting their children from
vaccination, citing NJ State Statute 26:1A-9.1 1974, and Section 8:57-4.4
N.J.A.C. 1995
-Parents should state that vaccination is against their religious
beliefs, explaining what their religious beliefs are......
-Parents should cite scripture if they have scripture applicable to their
specific religious beliefs listed (I personally have used 1 Corinthians
8:6 which affirms my belief that God created us in his image and has
given us his perfect immune system-I stated it was against my religious
beliefs to violate what God has given us by showing a lack of faith in
God. I stated that vaccination was showing God I had no faith in Him to
protect us .....I have also heard that some people have used Romans
14:14 and 1 Corinthians 12:24-27 which covers not allowing anything
unclean into the body)
I took down some other info in regards to how the NJ State law applies to
public, private, and parochial schools here in NJ...if anyone is
interested in the info, let me know..........
take care,
Ellen Sweeney
Director,
NJ Chapter of The Autism Autoimmunity Project
http://www.autismautoimmunityproject.org
"Know the Cause, Fund the Cure"
Vaccine Liberation
http://www.vaclib.org
"Educate Before You Vaccinate"
[Dear PROVE Texas Members,
We have received so many questions regarding vaccine exemptions in the
last couple of weeks with the start of school that we decided to put one
informational note out to our whole group to try and help clarify this
issue. This is also published on the web site for future reference.
Hopefully this will answer your questions. If you are reading this note
from somebody forwarding it to you and are not on our email list, please
subscribe at http://www.vaccineinfo.net/subscribe.htm so you can be kept
up to date.]
2004-2005 Texas Vaccine Exemption Information
The state of Texas in law grants and acknowledges the right of parents to
exempt their children from vaccination requirements for day care, school,
and college for reasons of conscience including a religious belief or for
medical reasons. In 2003, the Texas legislature passed changes to the
statutes expanding the reasons a parent can claim an exemption but the
Health Department has questionably also increased the bureaucratic red
tape necessary for claiming the exemption. There are specific procedures
for requesting an official state form and submitting it to the school or
for completing a medical exemption that all take some time so please
don't wait until the last minute to get your papers in order.
For everyone claiming an exemption for the first time after 9/1/03, you
must comply with the new law. If you've submitted an old religious
exemption prior to 9/1/03 you are grandfathered under the old law (see
notes below) and do not need a new form. The vaccine exemption forms for
reasons of conscience including a religious belief are only for students
claiming a vaccine exemption for the first time after 9/1/03 when the new
law went into effect. If you need to request forms from the state health
department, you can do it by fax, mail, or personal visit. If you send it
by mail, we suggest sending it registered mail with a receipt so you can
keep track of your request. If you send it by fax, set your fax machine
to print out a delivery receipt. We would like to keep track of the
Health Department's processing time.
According to the Texas Dept. of Health:
Written requests must be submitted through the U.S. Postal Service,
commercial carrier, fax at (512)458-7288, or by hand-delivery to:
TDH Bureau of Immunization and Pharmacy Support
1100 West 49th Street
Austin, Texas 78756
Hand-delivered requests may be submitted to the TDH, Bureau of
Immunization and Pharmacy Support, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Mondays
through Fridays. ALL affidavit forms will be mailed to you via U.S.
Postal Service. No requests will be filled at the time of hand-delivery.
Affidavit form requests will be processed and mailed within one week from
the receipt of the request. If additional information is needed in order
to process the affidavit, you will be notified;
The letter must include the following information:
Full name of each child for whom a form is requested
(first, middle, and last);
Date of birth of each child for whom a form is requested; Parent or legal guardian’s complete return mailing address, including zip code; and Number of forms needed for each child (not to exceed five forms per child)
Electronic mail or telephone requests cannot be processed.
The official Texas Department of Health affidavit form must be notarized
and submitted to school officials. The form must be submitted within 90
days from the date it is notarized.
The school will accept only official affidavit forms developed and issued
by the Texas Department of Health (TDH), Immunization Division. No other
forms or reproductions will be allowed.
(SOURCE: http://www.tdh.state.tx.us/immunize/school_exclusion.htm)
IT IS OUR OPINION THAT PARENTS SHOULD OBTAIN A WRITTEN NOTE FROM THE
SCHOOL ACKNOWLEDGING RECEIPT OF THE EXEMPTION FORM. IF THE SCHOOL LOOSES
THE FORM THEY CAN KICK YOUR KIDS OUT OF SCHOOL. IF YOU HAVE A WRITTEN
RECEIPT FROM THE SCHOOL THAT YOU SUBMITTED THE FORM, YOU CAN PUT THE
RESPONSIBILITY BACK ON THE SCHOOL TO GO FIND IT AND KEEP YOUR CHILD IN
SCHOOL.
It is also our opinion that the department is outside of the law
requiring that parents submit their children's names to get a form
especially since the law requires the department to develop a blank
form. They are also exceeding their authority in the statute by putting
2 year expirations on the new forms as the statute specifies no
expiration. This bullying behavior is putting the department at risk for
a legal challenge. However, for now, until this is legally challenged,
these are the dictatorial procedures TDH has set up.
Ignorant school officials around the state are denying kids admission to
school if they have an old religious exemption affidavit saying they need
one of the new forms from the health department. THIS IS NOT TRUE! If
you hear this is happening in your district, please call the
superintendent's office and give them this link to the state health
department where it clearly says you don't need a new form. Also, when
you transfer schools, the old religious exemption letter is still part of
your child's record and you do not need a new one as long as it was part
of your child's record prior to 9/1/03.
http://www.tdh.state.tx.us/immunize/docs/faq_exemption.pdf
On the bottom of page 2, it says:
Q. If a child currently has a religious exemption for vaccinations
on
file with the school, do they need to obtain a new vaccine
exemption for reasons of conscience affidavit?
A. No. Students who are currently exempt from vaccination for
religious beliefs and already have an affidavit on file at
the school they attend do not need a new vaccine exemption
affidavit form. The religious exemption on file remains valid.
Also on page 2 it says:
Q. What if my child changes schools?
A. The vaccine exemption affidavit is part of the child’s school records and should be sent to the new school with other school records.
The other option for parents to exempt their child from state
immunization requirements is with a medical exemption written by a
doctor. This is intended for families with children with health concerns
or a past history of reactions. While this option bypasses the
bureaucratic red tape with the new conscientious/religious exemption, the
pressures on doctors to not write these are great and it may be difficult
to get a doctor who acknowledges a vaccine reaction to substantiate that
in writing by issuing an exemption because of pressures being put on them
to deny acknowledgement of vaccine reactions.
Regardless, most families and physicians are not aware the exemption
statute was greatly expanded last session to make it much easier for a
doctor to write to protect a child from future reactions. No longer do
they have to say the vaccine would definitively harm the child but that
it instead poses a risk to the child. Any M.D. or D.O. licensed to
practice medicine in the United States can write the letter stating that
"in the physician's opinion, the vaccine required poses a significant
risk to the health and well-being of the child or any member of the
child's household." If the letter also says this is for a lifelong
condition, (the condition does not need to be named) the exemption never
has to be renewed. Otherwise it has to be renewed annually. The doctor
just needs to write it out on a piece of paper and sign it. In this case,
you can keep the original and give the school a copy.
Here is a sample medical exemption letter:
Medical Exemption to Immunization
In my opinion, the required immunizations pose a significant risk
to the health and well-being of (name of child).
This is a lifelong exemption for lifelong conditions.
Doctor's name, signature, and date
REFERENCES TO LAWS
Laws Which Allow For Exclusions from Compliance Children and Education:
Texas Education Code, Health and Safety Chapter Section 38.0001 -
Immunization Requirement Exceptions
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/statutes/docs/ED/content/htm/ed.002.00.000038.00.htm#38.001.00
Texas Administrative Code Title 25 Part 1 Section 97 - Immunization
Requirements in Texas Elementary and Secondary Schools and Institutes of
Higher Education (this section contains vaccine requirements by rule,
provisional enrollment, and exemptions)
http://info.sos.state.tx.us/pls/pub/readtac$ext.ViewTAC?tac_view=5&ti=25&pt=1&ch=97&sch=B&rl=Y
Day Care:
Human Resource Code, Section 42.043 - Rules for Immunizations and
Exemptions
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/statutes/docs/HR/content/htm/hr.002.00.000042.00.htm#42.043.00
Health Care Providers:
Texas Administrative Code Title 25 Part 1 Rule § 97.101- Statewide
Immunization of Children by Hospitals, Physicians, and other Health Care
Providers
http://info.sos.state.tx.us/pls/pub/readtac$ext.ViewTAC?tac_view=5&ti=25&pt=1&ch=97&sch=D&rl=Y
State of Texas:
Texas Health and Safety Code, Section 161.004 - Statewide Immunization of
Children
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/statutes/docs/HS/content/htm/hs.002.00.000161.00.htm#161.004.00
Applicable law has been interpreted to mean that a religious belief is
subject to protection even though no religious group espouses such
beliefs or the fact that the religious group to which the individual
professes to belong may not advocate or require such belief. Title VII of
the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as amended Nov. 1, 1980; Part
1605.1-Guidelines on Discrimination Because of Religion.
Religion Today Feature Story
a close-up look at the people, issues and events making news
http://link.crosswalk.com/UM/T.asp?A1.8.26213.1.211779
Florida High Court Affirms Expanded Protection for Religion
Allie Martin and Jody Brown
Agape Press
The Florida Supreme Court has ruled that the state's Religious Freedom
Restoration Act expands protection for religious freedom. The court said
religious freedom in the Sunshine State is entitled to greater protection
than that guaranteed under the U.S. Constitution.
Earlier this month, the Florida Supreme Court issued an opinion in the
case of Warner v. City of Boca Raton stating that the Florida Religious
Freedom Restoration Act (FRFRA) "expands the scope of religious
protection beyond the conduct considered protected" by cases from the
U.S. Supreme Court. "We also hold that under the Act, any law, even a
neutral law of general applicability, is subject to the strict scrutiny
standard where the law substantially burdens the free exercise of
religion," the court stated.
Here's a Catholic religious exemption letter which has a website as well
mentioned.
http://www.cogforlife.org/vaxexempt.htm
Rubella, Varivax, Hepatitis-A, Hepatitis-B
To whom it may concern:
In accordance with Indiana Code 20-8.1-7-9.5 section 2. (a), I hereby
state that receiving the following vaccines conflicts with our family
religious beliefs.
--Rubella
--Varivax
--Hepatitis-A
--Hepatitis-B
The attenuated virus used to produce the Rubella vaccine (RA27/3) was
obtained from an aborted fetus and then cultivated on fetal tissue from
another aborted baby (WI-38).
The Chickenpox vaccine containing WI-38, MRC-5 and Hepatitis-A vaccine
(MRC-5) were obtained from human babies that were electively aborted.
The Hepatitis-B vaccine protects against a disease that is only
transmitted through multiple sexual partners or street IV drug users and
therefore usurps my parental authority to condemn such activity in my
children. The acceptance of this vaccine promotes sexual promiscuity and
immoral behavior in direct contradiction to the teachings of our faith.
Attached is documentation (Catholic Exemption) clarifying our position
according to our Religious belief. http://www.cogforlife.org/vaxexempt.htm
We therefore state that our child, (INSERT CHILDS NAME) is exempt from
receiving these vaccinations.
Signed,
(Printed Name) (Signature)
(date)
Donna Carrillo, co-director
Vaccination Liberation
http://www.vaclib.org
Florida State University - HEPATITIS B VACCINATION DECLINATION FORM
(University Employees) OSHA
http://www.safety.fsu.edu/forms/hbv.pdf
Health statistics
Statewide whooping cough cases
2003 2004
63 103
Immunizations waivers in Michigan:
2002-03 school year, 16,000 waivers
* 4,877 medical reasons
* 1,471 religious reasons
* 9,834 other reasons.
2003-04 school year, 17,708 waivers:
* 5,112 medical reasons
* 1,648 religious reasons
* 10,948 other reasons
http://portage.scwn.com/articles/2004/11/08/news/news2.txt
"He estimated that 3 percent of all children across Wisconsin have their
vaccinations waived, although the number has increased over the past 10
years. "We watch the number very carefully," he said. If the state got to
a point where 5 or 6 percent of children had a waiver at their schools,
Saari said the state health office would look at eliminating the personal
exemption."
Immunization Exemptions
AFFIDAVIT for Colorado Newborn.doc (11509) AFFIDAVIT for Colorado
Newborn birth exemption from immunizations, shots and tests
http://web.archive.org/web/20041009204119/http://forums.cloud-busters.com/files.cfm?fuseaction=files&profileusersname=messiahmews&briefcasefileidlink=11509
Alabama exemption letter.doc (5227) Alabama Religious Exemption
Letter to health dept to obtain the Alabama Certificate of Relgious
Exemption.
http://web.archive.org/web/20041009204119/http://forums.cloud-busters.com/files.cfm?fuseaction=files&profileusersname=messiahmews&briefcasefileidlink=5227
certificate-religious-exemption-phys-exam.pdf (10989)
certificate-religious-exemption-phys-exam. Religious Exemption from
Physical Exams.
http://web.archive.org/web/20041009204119/http://forums.cloud-busters.com/files.cfm?fuseaction=files&profileusersname=messiahmews&briefcasefileidlink=10989
cfrm_acir_contraindication.pdf (11510) Vaccine Exemption due to
Medical Contraindication
http://web.archive.org/web/20041009204119/http://forums.cloud-busters.com/files.cfm?fuseaction=files&profileusersname=messiahmews&briefcasefileidlink=11510
Colorado Exemption Form part of immunization table only.doc (11506)
Colorado Exemption Form part of immunization exemption table only.doc
http://web.archive.org/web/20041009204119/http://forums.cloud-busters.com/files.cfm?fuseaction=files&profileusersname=messiahmews&briefcasefileidlink=11506
Colorado Religious Exemption Statement for newborns.doc (11507)
Colorado Religious Exemption Statement for newborns.doc
http://web.archive.org/web/20041009204119/http://forums.cloud-busters.com/files.cfm?fuseaction=files&profileusersname=messiahmews&briefcasefileidlink=11507
Colorado Religious Exemption Statement.doc (11508) Colorado Religious
Exemption Statement
http://web.archive.org/web/20041009204119/http://forums.cloud-busters.com/files.cfm?fuseaction=files&profileusersname=messiahmews&briefcasefileidlink=11508
ExemptionVacLib-Arizona.doc (11428) Exemption VacLib-Arizona. An
immunization exemption form for Arizona
http://web.archive.org/web/20041009204119/http://forums.cloud-busters.com/files.cfm?fuseaction=files&profileusersname=messiahmews&briefcasefileidlink=11428
ExemptionVacLib-DC.doc (5224) Vac Lib's District of Columbia
Religious Exemption Statement
http://web.archive.org/web/20041009204119/http://forums.cloud-busters.com/files.cfm?fuseaction=files&profileusersname=messiahmews&briefcasefileidlink=5224
ExemptionVacLib-Georgia.doc (5222) Vaccination Exemption Statement
for Georgia
http://web.archive.org/web/20041009204119/http://forums.cloud-busters.com/files.cfm?fuseaction=files&profileusersname=messiahmews&briefcasefileidlink=5222
ExemptionVacLib-Indiana.doc (5182) Exemption VacLib Indiana
http://web.archive.org/web/20041009204119/http://forums.cloud-busters.com/files.cfm?fuseaction=files&profileusersname=messiahmews&briefcasefileidlink=5182
ExemptionVacLib-Kentucky.doc (10983) Vac Lib religious exemption
statement for Kentucky. May turn in to health dept. to get the official
Certificate of Religious Exemption
http://web.archive.org/web/20041009204119/http://forums.cloud-busters.com/files.cfm?fuseaction=files&profileusersname=messiahmews&briefcasefileidlink=10983
ExemptionVacLib-Maryland.doc (11429) Exemption VacLib-Maryland. An
immunization exemption form for Maryland
http://web.archive.org/web/20041009204119/http://forums.cloud-busters.com/files.cfm?fuseaction=files&profileusersname=messiahmews&briefcasefileidlink=11429
ExemptionVacLib-Nevada.doc (5181) Vac Lib's exemption for Nevada
http://web.archive.org/web/20041009204119/http://forums.cloud-busters.com/files.cfm?fuseaction=files&profileusersname=messiahmews&briefcasefileidlink=5181
ExemptionVacLib-SD.doc (10984) Vaccination Exemption Statement for
South Dakota
http://web.archive.org/web/20041009204119/http://forums.cloud-busters.com/files.cfm?fuseaction=files&profileusersname=messiahmews&briefcasefileidlink=10984
ExemptionVacLib-Vermont.doc (10981) Immunization Exemption for
Vermont --ExemptionVacLib-Vermont.doc
http://web.archive.org/web/20041009204119/http://forums.cloud-busters.com/files.cfm?fuseaction=files&profileusersname=messiahmews&briefcasefileidlink=10981
ExemptionVacLib-Washington.doc (11439) ExemptionVacLib-Washington.doc
http://web.archive.org/web/20041009204119/http://forums.cloud-busters.com/files.cfm?fuseaction=files&profileusersname=messiahmews&briefcasefileidlink=11439
ExemptionVacLibWisconsin.doc (5239) Vac Lib's exemption statement for
Wisconsin
http://web.archive.org/web/20041009204119/http://forums.cloud-busters.com/files.cfm?fuseaction=files&profileusersname=messiahmews&briefcasefileidlink=5239
Immunization GA education.doc (11412) Immunization Exemption for
Higher Education in Georgia
http://web.archive.org/web/20041009204119/http://forums.cloud-busters.com/files.cfm?fuseaction=files&profileusersname=messiahmews&briefcasefileidlink=11412
Immunization GA employment.doc (5187) Religious exemption for GA
employees
http://web.archive.org/web/20041009204119/http://forums.cloud-busters.com/files.cfm?fuseaction=files&profileusersname=messiahmews&briefcasefileidlink=5187
Immunizations OR child.doc (5186) Religious exemption for school
children for Oregon
http://web.archive.org/web/20041009204119/http://forums.cloud-busters.com/files.cfm?fuseaction=files&profileusersname=messiahmews&briefcasefileidlink=5186
Immunizations OR Employment.doc (5185) Religious exemption letter
from Immunizations in Oregon
http://web.archive.org/web/20041009204119/http://forums.cloud-busters.com/files.cfm?fuseaction=files&profileusersname=messiahmews&briefcasefileidlink=5185
JLCB-IMMUNI~4.DOC (11002) Maine School District MSAD #55 official
exemption form for Hiram, Maine 04041 area. School District - M.S.A.D #55
District
http://web.archive.org/web/20041009204119/http://forums.cloud-busters.com/files.cfm?fuseaction=files&profileusersname=messiahmews&briefcasefileidlink=11002
Louisiana statement of exemption.doc (5228) Louisiana Statement of
Exemption - Philosophical
http://web.archive.org/web/20041009204119/http://forums.cloud-busters.com/files.cfm?fuseaction=files&profileusersname=messiahmews&briefcasefileidlink=5228
messiahmews.gif (11573) avatar pic
MN Immunization_Exemption statement.pdf (11003) Minnesota
Immunization_Exemption statement
http://web.archive.org/web/20041009204119/http://forums.cloud-busters.com/files.cfm?fuseaction=files&profileusersname=messiahmews&briefcasefileidlink=11003
Model letter for hospital births 2.doc (11426) Model Birth Plan
Letter for Hospital Births. This one is more detailed. You can attach an
exemption from immunizations. In some states, there are religious
exemptions from newborn screening tests suck as PKU, etc...
http://web.archive.org/web/20041009204119/http://forums.cloud-busters.com/files.cfm?fuseaction=files&profileusersname=messiahmews&briefcasefileidlink=11426
Model letter for hospital births for adoptions -- Dear Doctor and Medical
Staff.doc (11427) Model Birth Plan Letter for Hospital Births for an
adopted child.
http://web.archive.org/web/20041009204119/http://forums.cloud-busters.com/files.cfm?fuseaction=files&profileusersname=messiahmews&briefcasefileidlink=11427
Model letter for hospital births.doc (11425) Model Birth Plan Letter
for Hospital Births. You can attach an exemption from immunizations. In
some states, there are religious exemptions from newborn screening tests
suck as PKU, etc...
http://web.archive.org/web/20041009204119/http://forums.cloud-busters.com/files.cfm?fuseaction=files&profileusersname=messiahmews&briefcasefileidlink=11425
NH CERTIFICATE OF RELIGIOUS EXEMPTION-IMMUNIZATIONS.pdf (10988) New
Hampshire Certificate of Religious Exemption. It can also be used for
school children. Also download the letter to turn in along with it. The
bureaucrats may try to refuse the exemption form, but the letter says
it's used for other than child care program.
http://web.archive.org/web/20041009204119/http://forums.cloud-busters.com/files.cfm?fuseaction=files&profileusersname=messiahmews&briefcasefileidlink=10988
North Carolina Adult Religious Exemption from Attorney.doc (11438)
North Carolina Adult Religious Exemption from Attorney.doc
http://web.archive.org/web/20041009204119/http://forums.cloud-busters.com/files.cfm?fuseaction=files&profileusersname=messiahmews&briefcasefileidlink=11438
North Carolina religious exemption letter.doc (11436) North Carolina
religious exemption letter.doc
http://web.archive.org/web/20041009204119/http://forums.cloud-busters.com/files.cfm?fuseaction=files&profileusersname=messiahmews&briefcasefileidlink=11436
North Carolina Religious Exemption Statement.doc (11437) North
Carolina Religious Exemption Statement.doc
http://web.archive.org/web/20041009204119/http://forums.cloud-busters.com/files.cfm?fuseaction=files&profileusersname=messiahmews&briefcasefileidlink=11437
Pennsylvania Hep B exemption letter.doc (10985) PA Hepatitis B
vaccine exemption letter
http://web.archive.org/web/20041009204119/http://forums.cloud-busters.com/files.cfm?fuseaction=files&profileusersname=messiahmews&briefcasefileidlink=10985
Pennsylvania Religious Exemption Letter.doc (10986) PA Religious
Exemption Letter for all vaccines
http://web.archive.org/web/20041009204119/http://forums.cloud-busters.com/files.cfm?fuseaction=files&profileusersname=messiahmews&briefcasefileidlink=10986
Request for Conscientious Exemption for Texas.doc (6323) Request for
New TX exemption
http://web.archive.org/web/20041009204119/http://forums.cloud-busters.com/files.cfm?fuseaction=files&profileusersname=messiahmews&briefcasefileidlink=6323
South Carolina Exemption Letter to health dept.doc (5183) South
Carolina exemption letter to Health Dept. Obtain the SC Certificate of
Religious Exemption
http://web.archive.org/web/20041009204119/http://forums.cloud-busters.com/files.cfm?fuseaction=files&profileusersname=messiahmews&briefcasefileidlink=5183
Statement Of Religious Objection To Immunization in Pennsylvania.doc
(10987) Statement Of Religious Objection To Immunization in
Pennsylvania.doc (with scriptures)
http://web.archive.org/web/20041009204119/http://forums.cloud-busters.com/files.cfm?fuseaction=files&profileusersname=messiahmews&briefcasefileidlink=10987
Tennessee religious exemption letter.doc (5226) Tennessee Religious
Exemption Letter. In some districts, you may be required to turn this in
to the health dept to get the Official Tennesse Certificate of Religious
Exemption. It's a green form.
http://web.archive.org/web/20041009204119/http://forums.cloud-busters.com/files.cfm?fuseaction=files&profileusersname=messiahmews&briefcasefileidlink=5226
WebmailCertRelExemp.doc (5189) Letter of explanation to go with the
NH Certificate of Religious Exemption. The exemption says child care, but
this letter from the NH Dept of Health says it's for school too. Use this
letter along with the NH Religious Exemption.
http://web.archive.org/web/20041009204119/http://forums.cloud-busters.com/files.cfm?fuseaction=files&profileusersname=messiahmews&briefcasefileidlink=5189
This is an exemption letter for immunizations taken from the internet. It
revolves around the Catholic Church... 11-4-98
Please be informed that we are requesting a religious exemption from
vaccinating our children [names].
Our legal rights are guaranteed by the free exercise clause of the First
Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Recent court decisions have upheld the
rights of individuals seeking exemptions from immunizations based upon
personal and religious reasons. On the U.S. Supreme Court level in Frazee V.
Illinois Dept. of Security, 489 U.S. 829, it was found that a state may not
deny an exemption simply because a person is not a member of a formal
religious organization.
In addition, the Supreme Court in Fowler v. Rhode Island, 345 U.S. 67 (1953)
held that it was "no business of the courts to say what is a religious
practice or activity for one individual is not religion under the protection
of the First Amendment."
Furthermore, in United States v. Ballad, 322 U.S. 78 (1944) the court ruled
that religious teachings could not be prosecuted for fraud. The beliefs of
one person may seem preposterous to another, but religious liberty demands
the widest toleration of conflicting views.
We believe the Roman Catholic Church also guarantees our rights as stated in
the Catechism of the Catholic Church page 552, section 2295.
"Research or experimentation on the human being cannot legitimate acts that
are in themselves contrary to the dignity of persons and to the moral law.
The subjects' potential consent does not justify such acts. Experimentation
on human beings is not morally legitimate if it exposes the subject's life
or physical and psychological integrity to disproportionate or avoidable
risks. Experimentation on human beings does not conform to the dignity of
the person if it takes place without the informed consent of the subject or
those who legitimately speak for him."
I have taken one paragraph from an article written in the Catholic Twin
Circle by Kristine M. Severyn RPh, PhD on vaccinations as experimentation: "Hep
B vaccine policy illustrates the government's use of all children as medical
research guinea pigs.
Babies and pre-adolescents are targeted for hepatitis B vaccination because,
according to the CDC, "efforts to vaccinate persons in the major risk groups
Promiscuous homosexuals, heterosexuals, and intravenous drug abusers) have
had limited success."
The CDC emphasizes that "it will take 20 to 30 years of routine infant and
pre-teen hepatitis B vaccination to determine if the campaign actually
results in decreased incidence of disease."
After vaccinations, each of the children have had slight reactions,
resulting in ear infections and rashes. However, it wasn't until our seventh
child had more severe reaction did we decide to do research.
Particularly disturbing information revealed was the making of these
vaccinations, especially the rubella and chicken pox vaccine. The rubella
and chickenpox vaccine are grown in aborted fetal tissue. Other vaccines are
grown in animal tissues that would be injected with animal proteins, RNA,
DNA, and other blood fractions.
There is definitive research that suggest that injecting or ingesting such
vaccines is extremely dangerous.
If you feel that our children would pose a serious risk to other children by
not receiving vaccinations required to be in school, then please notify us
at your convenience and we will remove them and make other arrangements.
Sincerely,
Signed
¢ Father ______________________________
¢ Mother ______________________________
Schools Lie to Parents and Children, Say Vaccinations are Mandatory
Alex Jones | July 27, 2005
Summer is coming to a close and public schools all over the country are
re-opening to welcome students back into classrooms, but not before they
have gotten their shots. Schools everywhere tell parents that their children
are must have some nearly 40 vaccines before they can "legally" be permitted
to attend school.
This is all a lie.
There has never been a law that one has to be vaccinated to attend public
schools. School districts across the country have policies that have been
deceptively concocted by the Federal government to
appear to reflect the law but these policies merely reflect the color of the
law. They are frauds.
For the last three years, the country marks mid-summer by the start of an
ominous drumbeat: Announcements reminding parents to vaccinate their
children are on the radio and plastered across the front pages of
newspapers. They festoon public parks and swimming pools.
In Austin, Texas alone, there are dozens of television reports telling you
of "free vaccination clinics in public parks and gymnasiums," warning you
that your children must be vaccinated or you could be arrested.
Five years ago, the public was not subjected to this propaganda bombardment
because only five years ago, 95 percent of the country was vaccinating their
children. Today, that number has fallen to 65 percent, and the bottom is
nowhere in sight.
People have gotten wise to the fact that vaccines are contaminated with DNA
fragments, viruses, fungus, mercury, and a cocktail of other poisonous
toxins. Fleets of reputable studies have been published globally detailing
the wide swaths of destruction caused by vaccines. So, now the establishment
is on the offensive, attempting to bully us into submission. Big Pharma is
one of the biggest businesses in the world. It is among the top three
purchasers of advertisement in print, TV and radio, and has major pull.
You do not have to vaccinate your children.
You do not even have to get the affidavit. The schools have just been
trained via color of law that they are "required" to demand it. In the 2003
legislative session in Texas, we were forced to get a law
passed stating that it is illegal for health departments to claim that it's
the law that you must have a vaccination in order to attend school.
All over the country, the propaganda is identical. Here is Austin they've
even run newscasts saying mercury is good for children. There seems to be no
end to the brazen fabrications we are subjected to. It's time to get angry,
to spread the word and demand retractions from your local media. The bottom
line is that it is illegal for government representatives to traffic in
false information and to
tell citizens that they are breaking the law when they are not. It's called
coercion. It's called official oppression. It's called racketeering. And
above all it's called tyranny.
http://www.infowars.org/articles/science/vaccines_
schools_lie_to_parents_vaccines_manditory.htm
Producer:
Janna Owen
Contact
jowen@wsvn.com
WSVN -- April Renee: "She was born June 3rd, 1995 perfect 8 pounds 9
ounces."
April Renee called her daughter Casi her angel. April Renee: "I walked into
her room every morning singing you are my sunshine my only sunshine, she was
my life." Casi was developing normally saying, mama and dada, but then her
mom noticed something wasn't right. She says the change happened right after
her second round of vaccinations. April Renee: "At 15-months she wasn't
going from a lying to a sitting position, we knew something was wrong with
her."
Casi never spoke again, she was labeled autistic. At the age of four, she
developed bacterial meningitis, which eventually led to her death. Her
mother blames the vaccines for poisoning her system. April Renee: "We all
have the right to know what we're injecting into our newborn babies." Lynn
Martinez: "Vaccines have been at the center of controversy for years. Many
parents believe that a mercury-based preservative called thermerisol now
banned from the market caused neurological problems in children. But a
recent study by the Centers for Disease Control found no link between
vaccines and autism."
Dr. Anne Schuchat: "We don't know all that we want to know about the safety
of vaccines. However, the issue of autism has really been looked at
extensively and there's no association between vaccines we're giving out and
autism." Yet, some parents are not convinced. Craig Kaler decided not to
vaccinate his 11-month old daughter Chloe. Craig Kaler: "We've actually
weighed the benefit versus risk and the potential side effects from the
vaccines could damage her for life." And he's not alone, there's a growing
trend nationwide among parents not to vaccinate. In Florida, you can file a
religious or medical exemption and your children will still be allowed in
schools even though they're not vaccinated. According to Miami-Dade County
Public School records, nearly 3,000 students were granted exemptions for the
2007 school year. That number has nearly doubled since the year 2000.
In Broward County, the number of students granted exemptions this year
16-hundred and 86. Pediatrician Linda Colon-Adames says that's a sign more
parents are speaking up and questioning the mandatory vaccines. She says,
some parents ask her to space out the shots instead of giving them all at
once fearing it may be too much on such a fragile new system. Dr. Linda
Colon-Adames: "You're talking about seven vaccines on a brand new immune
system, brand new neurological system, brand new baby and maybe we need to
reconsider how we're doing things." But pediatrician Manuel Pedroso says, he
advises his patients to follow the vaccination guidelines. Dr. Manuel
Pedroso: "We need to balance the minor side effects you can get from
vaccines in comparison with the effects of having the illness which can be
life long." But for April, there are still too many questions. That's why
she started an organization called Educate Before You Vaccinate. She says
she wants to help parents make informed decisions about vaccinations.
April Renee: "For everyone to learn from my mistakes and educate before they
vaccinate." Lynn Martinez: "Doctors are concerned about potential outbreaks
if more children are attending school without their vaccinations. Even
children who received their shots could be at risk because no vaccine
prevents disease
100 percent.
VIC - Vaccine Injury Coalition
Autism is 1 in 150 children today and it's impossible to have a genetic
epidemic!
Please learn from our mistake and educate BEFORE you vaccinate!
For more information visit www.vacinfo.org or email
VIC@vacinfo.org
More Parents Send Children To School Without Vaccinations
Team 5 Investigates Obtains New Report Showing Rise In Religious Exemptions
POSTED: 3:57 pm EDT July 15, 2008
UPDATED: 11:48 am EDT July 16, 2008
http://www.thebostonchannel.com/asseenon5/16891131/detail.html
BOSTON -- Countless medical studies and the federal government say it
clearly: There is NO connection between childhood vaccinations and autism.
But Team 5 Investigates learned that once again, the number of Massachusetts
parents choosing not to vaccinate their children is up.
Dr. Tim Johnson Discusses Report
In the pediatrics office at Newton-Wellesley Hospital, every parent of young
children has heard about the vaccine debate. "You just want to do what you
think is best for your children," said mother Amy Luoto. For a small but
growing number of parents, that means avoiding immunization.
Team 5 Investigates learned that while the number of medical exemptions has
declined, the number of parents who claim vaccines violate their religious
beliefs more than doubled in the past decade --- from 221 in 1997 to more
than 500 last year, even as the total number of kindergartners has actually
declined.
Levatin admits most of her patients are not members of a religion that
prohibits vaccines.
"The vaccination law in Massachusetts is a non-sectarian clause," she said.
"You don't have to be a member of any particular religion and you don't
actually have to state what your religion is to school or other authorities,
according to the law."
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!I thought I would share my experience this week
with Andrew's school. Monday, around lunchtime, I ran in to a store to grab
some votive candles. I was in the store for less than 5 minutes. I come back
out and my cell phone is buzzing. I have three messages. The first one is
from a woman at the Health Department. She says her name, she needs to talk
to me immediately about my son, Andrew . The next message is from Moore
County Schools, the person needs to speak with me immediately about my son.
The school nurse is the third call needing me immediately. I get in my car
and start driving to the school. My heart is pounding. I'm dialing these
people back, NO one is at their desk, yet they had just called me minutes
before. I call the school and ask the secretary if Andrew is okay or if
something has horribly gone wrong. She said Andrew was sitting in the office
and to hold on. The school nurse gets on the phone. She tells me that some
child in Andrew's class has whooping cough. Andrew is "undervaccinated" and
he has to be out of school for 21days. He has to leave the premises
immediately. I said I would be right there. By the time I get there, the
head person for Moore County Schools is also at the school. Andrew is
sitting in the office. We go into another room. They start questioning me
about Andrew's vaccinations, why didn't he get his boosters at kindergarten.
I told them we had a religious exemption and if she had any further
questions, she could ask my attorney. She goes on to say that we are putting
other children at risk by not vaccinating Andrew. I asked if the child that
had whooping cough had been vaccinated and she said "yes". She says that
there has been an "outbreak" of whooping cough in Moore County (I think
right now it is less than 10). I asked if all the children that have come
down with whooping cough are vaccinated, and again, she said "yes". So, I
asked if all the other children in Andrew's class would have to go home for
21 days, since the vaccinated children seemed to be at risk as well. You
know the answer...no, because they got their shots. The woman with Moore
County Schools says they were seeing the "outbreak" happening with mostly
5th graders, so that must have been a bad batch that year. They put me on
the phone with the woman at the Health Department. She explains to me when
there is an outbreak or epidemic, they have jurisdiction over Moore County
Schools. Andrew would have to be out of school for 21 days. She wanted to
know what pharmacy we used, because she was calling in an antibiotic for
Andrew that he was to start immediately. I said she would not be calling in
an antibiotic, she was not his doctor, he is highly allergic to two
antibiotics and I would take him to his pediatrician. She informs me that
his ped needed to follow the guidelines set forth by the CDC and the AAP. In
addition, if Andrew started the antibiotic, he still would not be allowed to
return to school for 21 days. At this point, I want to scream. The Moore
County School person says to me that she understands my "theory" of not
wanting to vaccinate Andrew. I saw colors in my head. I leaned across the
desk and my hands were clenched. I kept thinking..."don't hit her." I said,
"Theory? I watched Andrew start screaming, breaking out in a105 fever, rash
all over his body two days after his 18 month DTaP shot. We took him to the
hospital. No one knew what was wrong. He then lost all his words, quit
looking at us and the lights went out in his eyes. Theory? I watched it
happen. Don't talk to me about theory. I've spent every day since then
fighting, scratching and clawing to get my son back from that hell hole that
he slipped in to." The woman was stunned. I wanted to scream, throw myself
on the floor and kick anything that got in the way. There's something to be
said about throwing a temper tantrum for cleansing purposes. So, here's the
kicker. The child that has whooping cough actually had been diagnosed a week
ago Wednesday. (His mother sent him right back to school. You can't fix
stupid) His doctor had put him on an antibiotic for 5 days, after which you
aren't contagious anymore. He was at school every day last week, plus Monday
and Tuesday of this week. HE NEVER MISSED A DAY OF SCHOOL and won't. My son,
doesn't have it at all, and isn't allowed to come back for 21 days. What I
am most pissed about is that the school nurse went down to the lunchroom,
pulled Andrew out in front of all the kids, took him down to the music room
and told him because he didn't have all his shots, he would have to miss 21
days of school. She marched him down to his room, got his book bag from the
sidewalk, and then marched him back down to the office where he stayed until
we left. He was treated like he WAS the virus. He isn't sick. He had sat in
a room with the child for weeks while he was contagious. Would two more
hours have made a difference? Couldn't he have finished the day and not be
drug out of the lunchroom. Andrew was so upset...he wanted to stay and take
his spelling test. He will also miss his Christmas program. Just in case any
of this happens to you all, you might want to be aware of what our friends
at the CDC and Health Department are doing. Our pediatrician felt like he
was being made an example of because he didn't have his kindergarten
boosters. The incubation period is 5-10days for whooping cough. In some rare
instances, it has been as much as 21 days. AND, taking an antibiotic won't
keep you from getting whooping cough, it will only make you non contagious
after you comedown with the symptoms. I have the prescription, and should he
comedown with symptoms, then I will give him the antibiotic. The reason no
one was at their desk was because they were setting up crisis phone banks.
PHONE BANKS. For one child at our school. I told the woman that the only
thing I saw there was an outbreak of was hysteria and stupidity. I don't
think she'll be sending me a Christmas card.I hope you all have a very happy
holiday. I am thankful Andrew does not have whooping cough and that he is
undervaccinated, he's talking and arguing with me like a 5th grader, he
looks at me in the eye when he's arguing with me and he is just the love of
our lives. We are blessed. Happy Thanksgiving,Betsy mother to Andrew, 11 and
undervaccinated
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