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.
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