What can I do when my doctor won't give me a medical exemption from immunization for my child?
I am not against shots let me first state this, I have other children that have all their shots. Also I am going to school to become a nurse and I have received my immunization. The problem is my youngest has alot of different minor health concerns and because of this I do not want this child to have their shots. There is also a family history of complication due to shots. The problem I am having is that when I took my child to the doctors they refused to give me a medical exemption. (which by state law I have the right to request)
I live in the state of Illinois and you are supose to be able to get a medical exemption from your doctor so I am wanting to know if there is anyone out there that has had this problem and if so what did you do?
Filed under: Alternative Medicine
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I’m not sure if you can, but go to a different pediatrician until you find one that matches your belief. I think this issue will be a big problem in the future for your relationship with your doctor. I know I’d be frustrated if my pediatrician didn’t want to work with what I thought was best for my child.
What health concerns does your child have that would make you not want to immunize him? I’m confused about what one thing has to do with the other. Yes, you do have the right to refuse to immunize your child, but you don’t have the right to send your unimmunized child to school with my children. I am a nurse and I have seen what happens to children who’s parents do not immunize them. I’m also a mother who’s child had an anaphylactic reaction (heart stopped) to his first dpt when he was a baby. He ended up with pertussis (whooping cough) at the age of 7 because he could not be immunized against it (pertussis is the "p" in dpt). If you think this stopped me from getting my other child immunized your wrong. The benefits FAR outweigh the risks. Please become well informed and educated on the subject before you make such an important decision.
If you are having problems with the school. Tell them you will sign a release form. They can’t make you do anything. Usually they will threaten you and say if your child gets sick they will kick him out but what is the chance of that happening. You can also say it is because of religious beliefs.
did you speak to your doctor and ask what his basis for refusing is? Maybe he thinks that with the concerns, that it would be a greater help than hindrance to get the shots. What kind of complications.. is this a different doctor? is Dr. aware of complications.. Which Immunizations are you refusing to get.. MMR ? one of the other half dozen regular ones for toddlers.. or those for the entrance for kindergarten..
Sounds like you’ll have to contact Board of Health.. if its a school issue.. you will also have to get in contact with them to find out the schools rules.. cause alot of schools won’t admit children without shots… no matter what. As a person studying to become a nurse.. you already should know the benifits are for your child and everyone else in contact..
Talk with your doctor again and check why he refused the exemption.. you might have to start a court case if you really wanna force the issue
Call the Board of Health in the county where your child will be attending school. They can answer this question for you. If you can’t get an exemption and they won’t let your child attend school without the shots, then I guess your only recourse would be to home-school the child, or get him or her into a school that can’t force them to take vaccinations.
You have the right to refuse to vaccinate your child due to your concern )or due to religious belief). However, it will be at your own full responsibility- the reason why the doctor won’t give a medical exemption certification. Doctors will never issue that to you.Nobody will force you either. There is an informed consent of your refusal that you are going to sign by yourself with due attestation.
The following links maybe of great help to know all the details:
http://www.vaclib.org/exempt/illinois.htm
http://www.909shot.com/Issues/Freedom_In_Vaccination.htm