Non-Immunized Children In Day Care Facilities

[saluki1974]

I was recently notified that my child care facility was accepting a child that was not immunized for religious reasons.

I have a child that is under 1 year in this facility who is going through their immunization period, but won't have all their shots and be considered "immunized" until ~after 1 year of age.

My concern is that my infant could contract an illness that the immunizations are intended to prevent. I have spoken to 3 different pediatricians who all have recommended that I keep my infant away from risk until they are fully immunized.

I recognize the personal beliefs of others to not immunize their children for whatever reason whether I agree with it or not, in most cases the only person they are potentially putting in harms way is themselves.

What rights do I have as a parent other than removing my child from the facility until they are fully immunized? This is my 3rd child to attend this facility and frankly I don't feel that I should have to go anywhere. If someone comes in and puts my child at risk, do I not have rights for myself?

the facility has dedicated age group rooms, but it is very common for the teachers to move around and switch rooms during the day, all the children play on the same equipment and the infant room is passed by to get to all the other rooms. Most of the concerned illnesses are airborne which can be easily circulated through standard ventilation or by people as well. Another concern is that even immunized persons can transmit viruses and expose others to them.

do i have the right to know which vaccinations the child has exempted from
can i demand that the facility put in more stringent measures to lock down ventilation in the infant room and sterilize the teachers as they enter the room etc?

what liability does the facility have if my child should get seriously ill
what disclosure other than they have a child not immunized is the facility required to give?

[BentleysBands]

ouch!

this is a very touchy subject for alot of providers...i personally do not allow those who wait to give shots for the risks. can you call your local SS and ask or maybe go to the director of your facility? i really have no advice but wish you the best!!

[kendallina]

I'm not sure you have a lot of recourse here. Most (if not all) states allow public schools to exempt children from immunizations for religious reasons and there are some states where you can be exempt without having to give a reason. Obviously, that's public school and a lot different than a private child care that has young babies in their care. But, a lot of private childcare use the state law as their own rule... have you spoken to the director about your concern?

As I see it, my child goes to the store, is around friends all the time, plays at the playground and I don't check anyone's immunization records that played there before us. I figure we do the best we can to protect our children and then try not to worry about the rest.

In case my personal viewpoint on immunizations matters, I immunize my daughter on a very delayed schedule.

Good luck

[daysofelijah]

How did you become aware of this information? Does your daycare share private medical records with all the parents?

eta: I do not immunize my 3 children and run a daycare out of my home. I don't think your in child is in any danger and would stop worrying so much about it.

[marniewon]

I would be way more concerned that your childcare facility is sharing personal medical info with others than the fact that there is ONE non-immunized child attending there. Like a pp said, you can get "germs" from non/under-immunized people everywhere you go! You can't control the rest of the world, and you can't even control your childcare center, so your best bet is just to stop worrying what you can't control and focus on what you can.

It sounds like you want to hear that this family should be made to leave this daycare because you've been there longer. It's not against the law to not be immunized, and and it's not even against licensing standards to no be immunized - as long as that family signs a waiver.

My 3 teenagers were all immunized when they were supposed to be. However, if I knew then what I know now, there's no way I would immunize them....or at the very least, I would delay them until their little immune systems were stronger and better able to handle the viruses put into their little bodies! Now that I know more, we do not get the flu shots, my dd did not get the guardia (or whatever that's called, to prevent cervical cancer) and they won't. Not until they are old enough to make their own decisions and choose to get them (which they won't).

The people who choose not to immunize their children are not giving them a death sentence, nor are they abusive or neglectful. They choose not to immunize because of their research into immunizations, and understand the risks to both (immunizing and NOT immunizing).

I would welcome a non-immunized child into my daycare, as I would consider them very informed parents. And once your child turns one, and has all the immunizations, then you are home free, because no one who's been immunized ever comes down with that sickness, right?

[misol]

I would be way more concerned that your childcare facility is sharing personal medical info with others than the fact that there is ONE non-immunized child attending there. Like a pp said, you can get "germs" from non/under-immunized people everywhere you go! You can't control the rest of the world, and you can't even control your childcare center, so your best bet is just to stop worrying what you can't control and focus on what you can.

It sounds like you want to hear that this family should be made to leave this daycare because you've been there longer. It's not against the law to not be immunized, and and it's not even against licensing standards to no be immunized - as long as that family signs a waiver.

My 3 teenagers were all immunized when they were supposed to be. However, if I knew then what I know now, there's no way I would immunize them....or at the very least, I would delay them until their little immune systems were stronger and better able to handle the viruses put into their little bodies! Now that I know more, we do not get the flu shots, my dd did not get the guardia (or whatever that's called, to prevent cervical cancer) and they won't. Not until they are old enough to make their own decisions and choose to get them (which they won't).

The people who choose not to immunize their children are not giving them a death sentence, nor are they abusive or neglectful. They choose not to immunize because of their research into immunizations, and understand the risks to both (immunizing and NOT immunizing).

I would welcome a non-immunized child into my daycare, as I would consider them very informed parents. And once your child turns one, and has all the immunizations, then you are home free, because no one who's been immunized ever comes down with that sickness, right?

Very well said marniewon. If this is that big of a concern for the op, I would suggest that she find another daycare for her children (or at least the youngest child) to attend until she felt that her child was fully immunized and no longer at risk.

Sounds like the only real violation here is that this daycare is sharing personal records information.

[SilverSabre25]

ditto mariewon and misol. There's no reason *at all* that the daycare should have notified parents that a new child was not immunized for any reason, religious, medical OR philosophical.

[MMk9987]

Okay well I have what is calle selective IGA defferincy and that means i have a really low immune system so if someone is sick i catch it like that. so i do get the flu shot and Jonathan my son who is 8 months old gets all of his shots. here in the state of Florida before you can enter childcare you must have all of your shots up to date they even make the parents sign a form I do not know if they do it where any of you guys live.

[misol]

Okay well I have what is calle selective IGA defferincy and that means i have a really low immune system so if someone is sick i catch it like that. so i do get the flu shot and Jonathan my son who is 8 months old gets all of his shots. here in the state of Florida before you can enter childcare you must have all of your shots up to date they even make the parents sign a form I do not know if they do it where any of you guys live.

It is my understading that FL does not allow personal or philosophical exemptions from immunizations but they do allow medical and religious exemptions.

[Unregistered]

ditto mariewon and misol. There's no reason *at all* that the daycare should have notified parents that a new child was not immunized for any reason, religious, medical OR philosophical.

As a home daycare provider, I am required to notify parents if there is a non-immunized child enrolled. I am also required to maintain confidentiality by not naming a specific person. I am sure the parents can figure out if there is a new child & soon after a notification.

I have had a unvaccinated child in my care, and I had to post a notification to that effect. The child's parents were ok with that(and so were the rest of the clients), but even if the child's parents weren't ok with it, I was still required to post the notification. Everyone 'knew' who it was, even though it didn't explicitly say.

[misol]

As a home daycare provider, I am required to notify parents if there is a non-immunized child enrolled. I am also required to maintain confidentiality by not naming a specific person. I am sure the parents can figure out if there is a new child & soon after a notification.

I have had a unvaccinated child in my care, and I had to post a notification to that effect. The child's parents were ok with that(and so were the rest of the clients), but even if the child's parents weren't ok with it, I was still required to post the notification. Everyone 'knew' who it was, even though it didn't explicitly say.

Wow, unbelievable. Unregistered what state are you licensed in? Can you post a copy of that regulation?

[KEG123]

I'm not sure you have a lot of recourse here. Most (if not all) states allow public schools to exempt children from immunizations for religious reasons and there are some states where you can be exempt without having to give a reason. Obviously, that's public school and a lot different than a private child care that has young babies in their care. But, a lot of private childcare use the state law as their own rule... have you spoken to the director about your concern?

As I see it, my child goes to the store, is around friends all the time, plays at the playground and I don't check anyone's immunization records that played there before us. I figure we do the best we can to protect our children and then try not to worry about the rest.

In case my personal viewpoint on immunizations matters, I immunize my daughter on a very delayed schedule.

Good luck

This. My son is on a very delayed/selective vaccine schedule. I do not have to disclose this information to parents. Whoever told you about the other child being immunized should legally not be allowed to disclose that information to you.

[Unregistered]

you are not the one who should be worried

it is actually the non-vaxed child that is in danger from your vaxed children. Non-vaxed children are actually put at risk by coming into contact with infants who have been recently vaccinated, especially with live vaccines, such as varicella. Your "rights" are not the ones being violated here.

[Ariana]

I really think you and your DR's should become more informed about how vaccines work and why your child is not at risk. Most people within the population need to get re-vaccinated every 10 years. How many adults do you know that do that? Essentially the majority of the population is not up to date on their vaccines. Also there are many people who contract viruses eventhough they've been vaccinated so it's not fool proof.

I really think your DR is being an alarmist in this instance.

[Blackcat31]

I really think you and your DR's should become more informed about how vaccines work and why your child is not at risk. Most people within the population need to get re-vaccinated every 10 years. How many adults do you know that do that? Essentially the majority of the population is not up to date on their vaccines. Also there are many people who contract viruses eventhough they've been vaccinated so it's not fool proof.

I really think your DR is being an alarmist in this instance.

This thread is from 10-2010.

Other threads about immunizations and non-immunized children. https://www.daycare.com/forum/tags.p...=immunizations

https://www.daycare.com/forum/tags.php?tag=vaccinations

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