Children With NO Vaccinations!

[kpa0627]

So, I just added an infant (8 months) to my daycare. The parents informed me that they are refusing the shots due to their beliefs so I just told them I needed a doctors note stating that. I don't know much about this... but if a baby doesn't get it's shots that are reccommended does that mean they can get sick easily or make me or the other children sick more easily. I myself do not have a spleen (the organ that helps fight off infections) so would it effect me? Sorry if this is a stupid question. But I've been sick this week since she started (probably a coincidence) but still..
Thanks!

[newtoeverything]

I am not able to take in children to do not get their vaccinations...You may want to look into it for your state, but we HAVE to have shot records.

[jen]

No, a child without immunizations would not make you more sick in general but is at greater risk of coming down with measles, small pox, polio, diptheria, etc if they should be exposed.

What will happen if my child doesn't get these shots?

Basically, one of two things could happen:

1.If your child goes through life without ever being exposed to any of these diseases, nothing would happen.



2.If your child were exposed to any of these diseases, there is a good chance he would get the disease. What happens then depends on the child and the disease. The child could get mildly ill and have to stay inside for a few days. He could get very sick and have to go to the hospital. At the very worst, he could die. In addition, he could also spread the disease to other children and adults who are not immune. If there were enough unprotected people in your community, the result could be an epidemic, with many people getting sick and some dying.
What are my child's chances of being exposed to these diseases?

It's hard to say. Some of these diseases are very rare in the U.S. today, so the chances of exposure are small. Others are still fairly common. Some are rare in the U.S. but common elsewhere in the world. Don't assume your child is completely safe from these diseases, even the rare ones. For instance, a child in the United States has only a tiny chance of catching diphtheria. But several years ago a boy in California did catch diphtheria and he died. He was the only child in his class who hadn't been vaccinated.

http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=21429&page=2

[Daycare Mommy]

They just sign a waiver and turn that in in the shot records place. Every state has one waiver or another the can sign. Medical waiver (doc must sign that one), Religious, or Philosophical waivers just signed by the parents. It depends on your state which ones are okay to accept and which ones aren't. Here's a link to a site showing each states allowable waivers. (I don't know how often it's updated, so double check the info of course)

http://www.nvic.org/Vaccine-Laws/state-vaccine-requirements.aspx

[Daycare Mommy]

I just noticed you have your state listed. Kansas accepts medical and religious waivers.

http://www.nvic.org/Vaccine-Laws/state-vaccine-requirements/kansas.aspx

[misol]

So, I just added an infant (8 months) to my daycare. The parents informed me that they are refusing the shots due to their beliefs so I just told them I needed a doctors note stating that. I don't know much about this... but if a baby doesn't get it's shots that are reccommended does that mean they can get sick easily or make me or the other children sick more easily. I myself do not have a spleen (the organ that helps fight off infections) so would it effect me? Sorry if this is a stupid question. But I've been sick this week since she started (probably a coincidence) but still..
Thanks!

The child without the vaccines would be at more risk than you would be. If you and the other children in your care are vaccinated and the vaccines work like they are supposed to work then there shouldn't be anything to worry about.

All my current families happen to be vaccinated I haven't decided where I stand on the issue - I guess I will cross that bridge when I get to it. For those of you who refuse children based on their choice not to vaccinate, be sure that you DO NOT tell them that this is the reason they are being refused/ terminated.

I've started asking during the interview whether their shots are current. I don't do pets or smokers so I also ask them in the interview whether they have either. Sometimes, I don't even have to ask! Those are the worst.

[MarinaVanessa]

Due to their beliefs I believe that any state should be able to accept what is called a personal beliefs affidavit. I live in CA and for us it's right on the back of our blue immunization record that we are required to keep in the child's file. It pretty much says "I request exemption on the child named from the vaccination assessment requirement for school/child care entry because this procedure is contrary to my beliefs"

If i child isn't immunized and you have been then you shouldn't worry that you might get sick. The concern should be in the unvaccinated child getting a communicable disease.

[Daycare Mommy]

Due to their beliefs I believe that any state should be able to accept what is called a personal beliefs affidavit. I live in CA and for us it's right on the back of our blue immunization record that we are required to keep in the child's file. It pretty much says "I request exemption on the child named from the vaccination assessment requirement for school/child care entry because this procedure is contrary to my beliefs"

California is different though. It's one of the states that can accept a philosophical objection to non-vaxing. It's easier there. Kansas can not accept those though, so this family would have to file a religious (or medical) waiver instead.

kpa0627, are you licensed/registered with your state? They should have this info in your regs, I think.

[grandmom]

In my state (WA) parents can also sign a waiver.

I "require" all parents to sign one of the waivers. Here's why. I tell them that I want their child vaccinated, I believe in them, my children received them.

However, I am responsible for tracking and reminding parents to make sure they are up to date. Plllluuueasssse. I am not the parent. If a parent got them on time, but simply forgot to tell me, and my licensor checked that file. Bingo. I get written up. Written up as in my permanent record. Then they make a note to check records again in a few months. Same thing. Then I have a "record" of not having my records up to date. That can result in a fine. $75 per incident. Again, plllueaseeel.

So it's not an option here. Sign the waiver. Every parent does it when I tell them what happens if they arent' up to date.

[MarinaVanessa]

I "require" all parents to sign one of the waivers.

You know what, I think this is a very good idea and I think I'll adopt this from now on. I think it's way too hard for me to keep up all of the kids immunizations. Why should it be our responsibility to keep track? I heard that it's even required in some states for the care provider to remind parent's to stay up to date and the provider gets fined if they don't do it on time.

[grandmom]

MarinaVanessa,

That's exactly what happens in my state. I can get fined $75 per record not up to date. That's why it's my policy.

I'm sorry, I'm not the parent.

My licensor questioned me the first time she saw all the waivers - they ask for 5 child files. All 5 had waivers signed. Then she just moved on to the next line on her checklist when I told her why.

The state can't require immunizations. They only require the form is in the file and filled out.

[MarinaVanessa]

Which is why I thought it was an absolutely brilliant idea. I already got extra copies of the immunization records and I'll be having them sign it at drop-off or pick-up. It would make things sooo much easier.

[Paris01]

I find accepting a child with no immunization shots a bit risky. So I find the procedure of requiring parents to sign the waiver a good idea.

[sahm2three]

IMHO, immunizations or no shouldn't be an issue. If one completely believes that the immunizations will do what they are supposed to do, then your child or the other children in your home would be covered. I started out immunizing my two older kids completely, and my third child ended up having severe reactions to his and ended up losing milestones and we were afraid that he was autistic, and in fact was tested on the spectrum. We started doing our research, pros and cons of immunizations, and have decided to not immunize ANY of us further. We have all the proper documents, and practice many natural things to keep ourselves healthy. Swine flu, RSV, stomach flus have all run rampant in our schools this year, and yet my kids remain healthy. I have complete confidence in what I am doing to keep my family healthy. So, from personal experience, no, it doesn't make the child sick more often, actually in our homes, it has made us healthier! So just make sure you have the waiver form signed and in place.

[sahm2three]

MarinaVanessa,

That's exactly what happens in my state. I can get fined $75 per record not up to date. That's why it's my policy.

I'm sorry, I'm not the parent.

My licensor questioned me the first time she saw all the waivers - they ask for 5 child files. All 5 had waivers signed. Then she just moved on to the next line on her checklist when I told her why.

The state can't require immunizations. They only require the form is in the file and filled out.

Do you happen to have a copy of the waiver you put in each file? That would be great to have a general one to have parents sign.