Being asked questions about the flu shots

[gillenkl]

I received an email from a day camp by son sporatically attends.

1. Did your child receive the seasonal flu shot?

If no – are you planning on getting your child the seasonal flu shot this year?
If yes – why haven’t you received it as of today?
If no – why?

2. Did your child receive the H1N1 vaccination?
If yes – did they get it through school?
If no – are you planning on having your child vaccinate with the H1N1 shot?

If no – why?
Thanks for answering the questions – I am just trying to collect some data!

At first I just started to answer but then I thought - hmmm, I don't know, what about patient confidentiality issues and such. I don't want a debate over the flu shot - I just want to know if you'd answer these questions over email about your child. I'm not sure it's anyone's business my reasons for/or against getting certain vaccines. And what does it matter where they got the shot - school or pediatricians? These seems very bizarre to me.

 

[princessmom29]

I think they want to know if there is a mediacl reason for not getting it. NJ is requiring them for daycare at this point and more states are moving to do so. They may just be gathering info for when that time comes.

 

[GOOFY4DONALD]

I think they should have worded it different. If they want to know why because of a medical reason they should have asked if there is a medical reason. They shouldn't ask what it is or why you chose not get your child vaccinated. I have many reasons why my kids do not have all of their vaccines. Some are medical some are not. But unless it is their dr asking or the law to ask...it's really not their business why.

 

[RMulieri]

I answer the questions.It really isn't about Patient Confidentiality at this point.

 

[mom2aredhead]

I would find out what they're planning on doing with the results before I responded.

Are they doing an informational survey? Are they trying to determine eligibility for admission? Are they putting together an immunization program at the camp?

I, personally, would answer just the "did your child get the shot" questions so they have my information on file. (Presumably they already have other medical forms from you that contain similar information). The rest of it is honestly none of their business.

 

[woodkins]

Not their business...unless it was required by law for the child to have the vaccine they have no right to know whether they have gotten it or not.

 

[lindsmom]

I would hesitate to answer - if they want to do an anonymous survey, they could do one through surveymonkey.com or similar. I would worry having my son's information attached to any medical surveys. But that's just me.

 

[DVC Sadie]

I answer the questions.It really isn't about Patient Confidentiality at this point.

I agree! H1N1 is now considered a National emergency.

 

[MomtoAlexnWilliam]

I'd answer it.

It could be the school/camp is only going to accept students who have had the vaccine. Not aware that this is illegal in any way and I wouldn't be surprised if it were mandated like other vaccines.

 

[MariDisney]

If someone is trying to "collect some data" they need to tell you what the data will be used for, how your identifying information will be used, what the purpose of the study is, etc. Personally, I'd toss it right into the circular file. I fill out the state required health forms for camps, etc. with only the required infomation and that's it.

 

[CLR4321]

I personally would not reply to the email. If the person who sent it asked again, I would simply say that I did not wish to disclose my son's medical information. You are in no way obligated to provide this information to this person.
My son only had a couple of vaccines, and hasn't received any since I did research and opted not to get them anymore when he was 4 months old. I have filed exemptions for daycare and school, and will not have him vaccinated unless we travel to an area that has a high risk of an illness. If he decides when he is older that he wants to have them, I will support his choice. I get all sorts of lectures and strange looks from people, especially when I have taken him to some Dr's. I won't take my business to a Dr that doesn't support my personal choices. I have been lucky to find good pediatricians that respect this, with the exception of the guy we took my son to for his pre-kindergarten check up. We just moved, so I haven't found a good one yet. As needed I will just try out different Drs until we find another one that isn't going to try to put a guilt trip on me or criticize my choices.
Do what feels right to you....you are the parent of the child and know what is best for him.

 

[SunniKC]

I would not answer the questions. With an optional vaccination its not really any of their business....and when it comes time to enroll if you have to provide immunization records then it will be on there (and they can't base enrollment on whether or not you have had a non-required vaccine.)

 

[CLR4321]

I'd answer it.

It could be the school/camp is only going to accept students who have had the vaccine. Not aware that this is illegal in any way and I wouldn't be surprised if it were mandated like other vaccines.

Just FYI, it would be illegal, as all states have exemptions for any and all vaccines. There are various kinds including medical, religious, philosophical, and personal, depending on the state. For many people this would be considered religious discrimination, as some religions do not allow vaccines as a part of their beliefs. Any public organization would not go beyond any state requirements for vaccines, as this could and would result in lawsuits being filed against the organization.

 

[MissNurse]

Okay, here is my 2 cents. I am a school nurse and former public health clinic nurse. In my state you are only required to notify schools/daycares of state required vaccines (DTaP, MMR, varicella, polio, Hepatitis B). I know in my state, the flu vaccine is definitely NOT required. It is highly encouraged (we are in the process of our first in-school vaccination clinics), but by no means required. If you are concerned about the reasons they want to know, then ask them. If you feel you want to let them know the information, then that is completely up to you. Is that clear as mud? Good luck!

 

[MomtoAlexnWilliam]

Just FYI, it would be illegal, as all states have exemptions for any and all vaccines. There are various kinds including medical, religious, philosophical, and personal, depending on the state. For many people this would be considered religious discrimination, as some religions do not allow vaccines as a part of their beliefs. Any public organization would not go beyond any state requirements for vaccines, as this could and would result in lawsuits being filed against the organization.

I should have been more clear. I didn't read that religious objections were at the heart of this matter in this thread. And while nearly all state/public schools (and in some states, even private schools qualify as an agent of the state) can't discriminate on the basis of religious beliefs (aka religious vaccine waivers), a private day camp (not presented as a public school in this thread) would not necessarily qualify as an agent of the state and therefore not be required to accept any particular student. This is similar to the way a private doctor is not considered a public venue and therefore can deny medical services to persons who are not vaccinated.

If it is a religious (medical goes without saying!) or in some states philosophical reason, the answer could be different -- again depending on whether or not the facility is public or considered an agent for the state. Sorry for not being more clear!

 

[princessmom29]

I don't understand the hesitation. Just because you aren't legally required to disclose something doesn't mean that you shouldn't. I think the right thing to do here is to let them know wether or not your kid has had the vaccine. What can it possibly hurt for them to have that info??? Nothing. I just don't get the withholding of information about kids in general. I would want the people taknig care of my kid to have as much information as possible about him/her so that they could make intelligent decisions regarding care. I just don't understand the whole "it's none of their business" mentality, and not just about vaccines. Why not keep the school/ daycare informed?? I honestly think that some parents(not specifically targeting anyone) feel more powerful and in control when the keep schools/ caregivers out of the loop on things. It makes them feel more important and validated as parents. This statement is probably going to make someone angry, but I have seen so many posts like this I had to speak up. I have a six year old and I try to keep her teacher as informed as possible about what is going on with her anytime it may have an effect on her classroom perfromance. When she is not feeling well, I stick a note in her folder ect. It is her teacher's business b/c she needs to know why she is tired/ cranky. I am not leagally required to tell her, but it is the right thing to do. I see the vaccines the same way. It is the right thing to do tho let the staff know wether or not your child has had them. If they know a child has not had the vaccine and is running a temp, they will be more likely to contact you right away. If the child has had the vaccine, they might take a wait and see approach with something borderline. The infroamtion does matter.

 

[MariDisney]

I don't understand the hesitation. Just because you aren't legally required to disclose something doesn't mean that you shouldn't. I think the right thing to do here is to let them know wether or not your kid has had the vaccine. What can it possibly hurt for them to have that info??? Nothing. I just don't get the withholding of information about kids in general. I would want the people taknig care of my kid to have as much information as possible about him/her so that they could make intelligent decisions regarding care. I just don't understand the whole "it's none of their business" mentality, and not just about vaccines. Why not keep the school/ daycare informed?? I honestly think that some parents(not specifically targeting anyone) feel more powerful and in control when the keep schools/ caregivers out of the loop on things. It makes them feel more important and validated as parents. This statement is probably going to make someone angry, but I have seen so many posts like this I had to speak up. I have a six year old and I try to keep her teacher as informed as possible about what is going on with her anytime it may have an effect on her classroom perfromance. When she is not feeling well, I stick a note in her folder ect. It is her teacher's business b/c she needs to know why she is tired/ cranky. I am not leagally required to tell her, but it is the right thing to do. I see the vaccines the same way. It is the right thing to do tho let the staff know wether or not your child has had them. If they know a child has not had the vaccine and is running a temp, they will be more likely to contact you right away. If the child has had the vaccine, they might take a wait and see approach with something borderline. The infroamtion does matter.

I am one of those who essentially said it's none of their business. If I understand the OP correctly (and I will reread after I post this) then this is a program her child is not in regularly. I assumed it was a summer camp. If that's the case, the time for them to have this info, if at all, will be 6-8 months from now. It will be irrelevant info for them most likely by the time summer gets here. Also, they didn't say they were gathering the information to plan for their program or to put policies in place for whatever. They say they were "collecting some data". I would want to know what that means, who the data are for, and how the data will be used.

If the child is currently in this placement I'd have less of an issue with it. I'm very open with my DD's school that she has no vaccines and won't be having any. I tell them why and give them the notarized exemption. I don't have an issue with sharing that with the relevant people in the school.

 

[princessmom29]

I am one of those who essentially said it's none of their business. If I understand the OP correctly (and I will reread after I post this) then this is a program her child is not in regularly. I assumed it was a summer camp. If that's the case, the time for them to have this info, if at all, will be 6-8 months from now. It will be irrelevant info for them most likely by the time summer gets here. Also, they didn't say they were gathering the information to plan for their program or to put policies in place for whatever. They say they were "collecting some data". I would want to know what that means, who the data are for, and how the data will be used.

If the child is currently in this placement I'd have less of an issue with it. I'm very open with my DD's school that she has no vaccines and won't be having any. I tell them why and give them the notarized exemption. I don't have an issue with sharing that with the relevant people in the school.

I thought she was referring to an afterschool camp that the child only went to sometimes. It is not clearly stated in the OP, but that is what I took it to mean. It would still not bother me to give the info, and it wouldn't really matter to me where it was going b/c there is nothing "bad" that anyone could do with the info so why withhold it? It is not like givng out a child's social. How could it possibly negatively effect you or your child for them to have this info?

 

[MariDisney]

I thought she was referring to an afterschool camp that the child only went to sometimes. It is not clearly stated in the OP, but that is what I took it to mean. It would still not bother me to give the info, and it wouldn't really matter to me where it was going b/c there is nothing "bad" that anyone could do with the info so why withhold it? It is not like givng out a child's social. How could it possibly negatively effect you or your child for them to have this info?

I knew we were probably reading the OP differently. Maybe that poster will clarify for us.

As a family who does not vaccinate we have sometimes (although thankfully not too frequently) been subtly encouraged not to apply for certain camps, etc. because of that status. We also get a lot of "aren't you afraid your kid is going to die?" questions. I work with children with autism and happened to be having a consult with one of my client's speech therapists last week. While we were casually chatting she said, "I heard 40% of the kids aren't going to get this shot. Can you believe those parents??". In those instances you have to decided whether to have the discussion about your own choices or just let it go. So, as a person who doesn't vaccinate you're always a little bit on the defensive, sort of waiting for something bad to happen within the "system" because of it.

We can imagine a lot of bad things happening if we share the information that we don't have a particular vaccine. (e.g., some parents freaked out several years ago at my DD's dance school) So, I personally hesitate sharing in places where it isn't legally required.

 

[princessmom29]

I knew we were probably reading the OP differently. Maybe that poster will clarify for us.

As a family who does not vaccinate we have sometimes (although thankfully not too frequently) been subtly encouraged not to apply for certain camps, etc. because of that status. We also get a lot of "aren't you afraid your kid is going to die?" questions. I work with children with autism and happened to be having a consult with one of my client's speech therapists last week. While we were casually chatting she said, "I heard 40% of the kids aren't going to get this shot. Can you believe those parents??". In those instances you have to decided whether to have the discussion about your own choices or just let it go. So, as a person who doesn't vaccinate you're always a little bit on the defensive, sort of waiting for something bad to happen within the "system" because of it.

We can imagine a lot of bad things happening if we share the information that we don't have a particular vaccine. (e.g., some parents freaked out several years ago at my DD's dance school) So, I personally hesitate sharing in places where it isn't legally required.

Do you mind my asking why you do not vaccinate? If you do not want to answer it is ok. It is one thing that I feel very strongly about as I had a cousin almost die from measels at 11 months. I have abiochemistry degree and have done a lot of research on the subject, so I am always interested in people's reasoning for not donig it.