Is it possible to get out of getting my dtr the flu shot?

[SaraJayne]

I would think a bad reaction would also have to fall under that.

Yes, my mistake. I went back and edited. I was multi-tasking and not doing a very good job.

 

[RitaE]

There could actually be a reason for the law/regulation. Remember the regulations are made for children in any preschool/child care/ head start setting across a state or region. Some children need to be protected from the flu and need to be protected from being around others with the flu.

In many states the regulations are for children from ages 6 weeks to 5 years so its not just for a healthy, 4 year old child. Its also for the 8 week old with health problems that has to be in child care while mom works.

If the OP's child has issues talking the shot, then she can get something from her dr. but that doesn't mean every parent out there should lie their way out of getting it for their child.

I think it is one of those things that everybody needs to decide for themselves where it crosses into a lie.

For instance, it is my personal religious belief that our Bible charges parents with the duty of raising and guiding their children. I believe that abdicating the duty and rights of parenthood to government authorities or anybody other than myself or my husband contradicts my religious duty.

I wouldn't say that in a statement though. Keep it as brief and uncontroversial and arguable as possible.

I apply for an exemption of the "XXXX vaccine" for my son XXXXX as it in contradictory to our family's religious beliefs.

and sign it.

 

[robinb]

And though I am sure that many other posters will also point this out, the flu is a deadly disease for many people each year. It's early for flu season right now and there are already lots of cases in my area so I imagine this is going to be a particularly bad year for flu.

I was going to just say the same thing. Sadly, children die of the flu every year.

OP, you said your oldest had a bad reaction to the flu shot. What kind of a reaction was it? Was it a shot or the mist? Maybe the mist would be a better option if you are forced to vaccinate your child.

 

[Colleen27]

I'd talk to my doctor about getting a medical waiver based on the severity of the older sibling's reaction. Ours expressed a willingness to do that if we needed because after my older DD's reactions to her vaccines we decided to follow a modified schedule for both our girls in order to administer only one vaccine at a time to better identify problems. So even though it wasn't younger DD who had the issue, our pediatrician felt older DD's reactions justified caution with younger DD as well and would have provided a medical excuse on those grounds. Fortunately for us it wasn't an issue - the girls had all their required shots by the time they started school - but if we'd needed to enroll them in daycare we'd have needed that waiver to do so.

 

[sam_gordon]

Well, I did a little googling and it seems in New Jersey, it is the law, which personally, I find outrageous.

I'd opt out on religious grounds, even if that isn't true.

So now the NJ government gets to decide what goes in your children's body, not you, the parent.

First, none of my family gets a flu shot, so I would also be upset over this. BUT, do those of you complaining have a problem with schools & daycares requiring chicken pox vaccines or polio or any of the half dozen or so inoculations our kids get and have to show the school they got?

 

[Christopher Robin]

there could actually be a reason for the law/regulation. Remember the regulations are made for children in any preschool/child care/ head start setting across a state or region. Some children need to be protected from the flu and need to be protected from being around others with the flu.

In many states the regulations are for children from ages 6 weeks to 5 years so its not just for a healthy, 4 year old child. Its also for the 8 week old with health problems that has to be in child care while mom works.

If the op's child has issues talking the shot, then she can get something from her dr. But that doesn't mean every parent out there should lie their way out of getting it for their child.

ymmv

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Crazy to require the vaccine. Yes, in most people the vaccine is rather harmless and may reduce the likelihood of getting the flu (or reduce the symptoms, if a person does still contract it). However, I just reviewed a journal article about the efficacy rates of the flu vaccine, and it's not high. The article didn't recommend not getting the vaccine, but it did not give it glowing reviews, to say the least. The biggest way to reduce the chances of getting the flu is proper handwashing--washing often and washing well--and not putting fingers in the mouth, nose, or eyes. Last year I did get a flu shot, given that I was a preschool teacher, however this year, I am a student and I haven't decided it I will get the shot. I hope you can get out of getting it based on medical reasons.

 

[luvsJack]

I think it is one of those things that everybody needs to decide for themselves where it crosses into a lie.

For instance, it is my personal religious belief that our Bible charges parents with the duty of raising and guiding their children. I believe that abdicating the duty and rights of parenthood to government authorities or anybody other than myself or my husband contradicts my religious duty.

I wouldn't say that in a statement though. Keep it as brief and uncontroversial and arguable as possible.

I apply for an exemption of the "XXXX vaccine" for my son XXXXX as it in contradictory to our family's religious beliefs.

and sign it.

I am all for a parent having their own rights and duties to raising their children. The problem is that too many people are only thinking of THEIR child. The state regulations for things such as this are not about YOUR child only. Its about all of the children that fall in that age group that are in child care and preschool. They cannot just protect your child but must protect all children. Additionally, they may also be protecting younger siblings at home, elderly grandparents or others in the home that may not be able to get the flu shot and don't need the 4 year old bringing it home to them.

If you are not one of the religions that specifically are against immunizations and/or medical care then you are, in fact, lying.

If the child had a reaction just get a note from the dr. There is no reason to lie about it.

 

[renae3]

OP here....thanks so much for all the replies. My oldest just ended up with a fever from the shot, but I never even told the doctor. When I called the school I told them about my reason being because my oldest had a bad reaction and she said that was not a reason and I had to get it done or she couldn't come back to school. Now if I say it is a religious reason, they know I am lying. Will they question me? I hate to lie, but I am feeling so backed into a corner.

 

[luvmy3]

Hello. My daughter attends preschool, 2 days a week for 2 1/2 hours. I was just given a letter saying it is mandatory for her to get the flu shot. I called and told them I don't get my kids the flu shot. My oldest had a very bad reaction, and since then I haven't gotten them. She says it is the law for preschool, not older kids. My question is I really don't want to give her the shot, what can I do? She told me if it was a religious reason, only then could I get out of it. Obviously, I am torn and am kinda upset. I mean its the flu, not the measles or some deadly disease. Anyone have any ideas??

The flu is deadly, and young children are at a higher risk of complications.
Having said that, I certainly don't believe it should be required by law. Parents should be the ones to decide whether or not they want their child to have the vaccine. Since one of your children had a bad reaction I would speak to your pediatrician and see if he can give you a medical waiver for your youngest.

 

[RitaE]

OP here....thanks so much for all the replies. My oldest just ended up with a fever from the shot, but I never even told the doctor. When I called the school I told them about my reason being because my oldest had a bad reaction and she said that was not a reason and I had to get it done or she couldn't come back to school. Now if I say it is a religious reason, they know I am lying. Will they question me? I hate to lie, but I am feeling so backed into a corner.

According to the New Jersey code I posted above, they are not allowed to question your statement or ask for further details. You write the statement, they accept it. They might roll their eyes and the nurse will mutter "yeah right" behind your back though.

It's up to you whether or not that is enough to change your mind. Maybe you'd feel better about it if you called your Doctor and discussed your concerns.

 

[Christopher Robin]

OP here....thanks so much for all the replies. My oldest just ended up with a fever from the shot, but I never even told the doctor. When I called the school I told them about my reason being because my oldest had a bad reaction and she said that was not a reason and I had to get it done or she couldn't come back to school. Now if I say it is a religious reason, they know I am lying. Will they question me? I hate to lie, but I am feeling so backed into a corner.

'For religious reasons, I opt out.'

 

[Tigger&Belle]

This is an interesting read on the topic:http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2882617/

 

[mhsjax]

Well, I did a little googling and it seems in New Jersey, it is the law, which personally, I find outrageous.

I'd opt out on religious grounds, even if that isn't true.

So now the NJ government gets to decide what goes in your children's body, not you, the parent.

I gotta say, NJ has some strange laws, right up there with not pumping your own gas. BIZAAR. NO wonder a friend on mine said the best thing about leaving NJ, was watching it disappear in the rear view mirror.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

OP here....thanks so much for all the replies. My oldest just ended up with a fever from the shot, but I never even told the doctor. When I called the school I told them about my reason being because my oldest had a bad reaction and she said that was not a reason and I had to get it done or she couldn't come back to school. Now if I say it is a religious reason, they know I am lying. Will they question me? I hate to lie, but I am feeling so backed into a corner.

IMO I do not think that you have a great reason for not having the vaccine. You said your oldest ended up with a fever from the shot. There's no way of knowing the fever was from the shot--kids get fevers all the time. If it happened a 2nd year, I'd be a little more apt to believe the fever was from the shot, but not one time and not even a severe problem. If your doctor wasn't even informed, I doubt it was something too bad.

My daughter, as a child, did get sick a couple years in a row after having the flu vaccine. She didn't have the shot again, but is now, as an adult, considering having it due to the population she works with. Her younger siblings all had the vaccine without any problems.

 

[HM]

OP, I'd go ahead and try the vaccine this year for this child since you like this preschool. Your older child really didn't have a bad reaction if it wasn't enough to even inform your doctor, imo.

My kids are much older, but I kind of remember them having fever after some of their vaccinations as well.

 

[SaraJayne]

IMO I do not think that you have a great reason for not having the vaccine. You said your oldest ended up with a fever from the shot. There's no way of knowing the fever was from the shot--kids get fevers all the time. If it happened a 2nd year, I'd be a little more apt to believe the fever was from the shot, but not one time and not even a severe problem. If your doctor wasn't even informed, I doubt it was something too bad.

My daughter, as a child, did get sick a couple years in a row after having the flu vaccine. She didn't have the shot again, but is now, as an adult, considering having it due to the population she works with. Her younger siblings all had the vaccine without any problems.

She doesn't want to give her daughter the shot. That is a good enough reason.

 

[mjkacmom]

I think you are over-thinking this. Just have her get the flu shot! Seriously, what is one more vaccination? A fever (in a sibling, no less) is not a severe reaction. It's possible it wasn't even related to the shot.

All of my kids get them every single year (except one year when ds9 got the flu before his appointment). We've never had any issues. Every other kid in that school is getting one.

 

[mjkacmom]

I gotta say, NJ has some strange laws, right up there with not pumping your own gas. BIZAAR. NO wonder a friend on mine said the best thing about leaving NJ, was watching it disappear in the rear view mirror.

Not having to pump my own gas is a bonus! I don't think I could ever leave here - it's really a great place to live, if you can afford it.

 

[Christopher Robin]

I think you are over-thinking this. Just have her get the flu shot! Seriously, what is one more vaccination? A fever (in a sibling, no less) is not a severe reaction. It's possible it wasn't even related to the shot.

All of my kids get them every single year (except one year when ds9 got the flu before his appointment). We've never had any issues. Every other kid in that school is getting one.

Re; the bolded. You don't know that.