A conversation with a patient this morning spurred me to finally write this. She was researching information on vaccinations and their possible effects, due her questions about the safety and efficacy of some vaccinations. She had some concerns because - like most people - she assumed that she had to fully vaccinate her children or they would not be admitted to daycare or school. Although this is a widely held belief amongst parents, and although it is even often communicated by educators, other school employees, health care workers, and the media, please note that the State of Washington allows for medical, religious, or personal philosophical exemptions from immunization (see a copy of the relevant WA State Code at the end of this article). In other words, with a valid exemption a child CAN, under most circumstances, attend daycare, pre-school, or public school without undergoing any or all vaccinations. The Washington State Department of Health publishes the appropriate form, called the "Certificate of Immunization Status" which also contains further information and guidelines. The section on exemptions, called "Statement of Exemption to Immunization Law" starts in the middle of the second (or back) page of this form (parents are often only given the front page and are unaware that there is a back page with a place to declare exemptions). To read a copy, which can be downloaded and printed, first click on the Washington Department of Health's Immunization "Forms/Publications" page at : http://www.doh.wa.gov/cfh/Immunize/formpubs.htm, then scroll down and click on "English". (You either need Adobe's Acrobat Reader to download the document, or email the department of health at the bottom of their page to receive the document in another format - see the bottom of the "Forms/Publications" page for info.). If you wish to check immunization exemption rules for other states, visit http://home.san.rr.com/via/STATES/allstates.htm and see what they have to say. One website you can visit to learn more about some of the questions and concerns raised about vaccinations, is www.909shot.com, the website of the National Vaccine Information Center. I encourage you to share this information broadly. I believe parents should have the opportunity to be fully and accurately informed about the health choices they make for their children. Please note that I cannot make any professional recommendations or offer a professional opinion on the efficacy, safety, etc. of vaccinations. We have some books and other resources in our patient library, and you are encouraged to educate yourself on this important issue. All the best to you and yours, David J Ronen, DC Revised Code of Washington ("RCW") for your reference: RCW 28A.210.080 Immunization program -- Attendance of child conditioned upon presentation of alternative proofs. The attendance of every child at every public and private school in the state and licensed day care center shall be conditioned upon the presentation before or on each child's first day of attendance at a particular school or center, of proof of either (1) full immunization, (2) the initiation of and compliance with a schedule of immunization, as required by rules of the state board of health, or (3) a certificate of exemption as provided for in RCW 28A.210.090. The attendance at the school or the day care center during any subsequent school year of a child who has initiated a schedule of immunization shall be conditioned upon the presentation of proof of compliance with the schedule on the child's first day of attendance during the subsequent school year. Once proof of full immunization or proof of completion of an approved schedule has been presented, no further proof shall be required as a condition to attendance at the particular school or center. RCW 28A.210.090 Immunization program -- Exemptions from on presentation of alternative certifications. Any child shall be exempt in whole or in part from the immunization measures required by RCW 28A.210.060 through 28A.210.170 upon the presentation of any one or more of the following, on a form prescribed by the department of health: (1) A written certification signed by any physician licensed to practice medicine pursuant to chapter 18.71 or 18.57 RCW that a particular vaccine required by rule of the state board of health is, in his or her judgment, not advisable for the child: PROVIDED, That when it is determined that this particular vaccine is no longer contraindicated, the child will be required to have the vaccine; (2) A written certification signed by any parent or legal guardian of the child or any adult in loco parentis to the child that the religious beliefs of the signator are contrary to the required immunization measures; and (3) A written certification signed by any parent or legal guardian of the child or any adult in loco parentis to the child that the signator has either a philosophical or personal objection to the immunization of the child. |
Copyright and TM David J Ronen, DC |
Featured Article: Are Vaccinations Really Required for School Attendance in Washington State? |
Ronen Chiropractic Clinic Vancouver, Washington (360) 750-9200 |
All images and text copyright David J Ronen, DC Ronen Chiropractic Clinic Vancouver, Washington (360)750-9200 |
">
">
">
">
A conversation with a patient this morning spurred me to finally write this. She was researching information on vaccinations and their possible effects, due her questions about the safety and efficacy of some vaccinations. She had some concerns because - like most people - she assumed that she had to fully vaccinate her children or they would not be admitted to daycare or school. Although this is a widely held belief amongst parents, and although it is even often communicated by educators, other school employees, health care workers, and the media, please note that the State of Washington allows for medical, religious, or personal philosophical exemptions from immunization (see a copy of the relevant WA State Code at the end of this article). In other words, with a valid exemption a child CAN, under most circumstances, attend daycare, pre-school, or public school without undergoing any or all vaccinations. The Washington State Department of Health publishes the appropriate form, called the "Certificate of Immunization Status" which also contains further information and guidelines. The section on exemptions, called "Statement of Exemption to Immunization Law" starts in the middle of the second (or back) page of this form (parents are often only given the front page and are unaware that there is a back page with a place to declare exemptions). To read a copy, which can be downloaded and printed, first click on the Washington Department of Health's Immunization "Forms/Publications" page at : http://www.doh.wa.gov/cfh/Immunize/formpubs.htm, then scroll down and click on "English". (You either need Adobe's Acrobat Reader to download the document, or email the department of health at the bottom of their page to receive the document in another format - see the bottom of the "Forms/Publications" page for info.). If you wish to check immunization exemption rules for other states, visit http://home.san.rr.com/via/STATES/allstates.htm and see what they have to say. One website you can visit to learn more about some of the questions and concerns raised about vaccinations, is www.909shot.com, the website of the National Vaccine Information Center. I encourage you to share this information broadly. I believe parents should have the opportunity to be fully and accurately informed about the health choices they make for their children. Please note that I cannot make any professional recommendations or offer a professional opinion on the efficacy, safety, etc. of vaccinations. We have some books and other resources in our patient library, and you are encouraged to educate yourself on this important issue. All the best to you and yours, David J Ronen, DC Revised Code of Washington ("RCW") for your reference: RCW 28A.210.080 Immunization program -- Attendance of child conditioned upon presentation of alternative proofs. The attendance of every child at every public and private school in the state and licensed day care center shall be conditioned upon the presentation before or on each child's first day of attendance at a particular school or center, of proof of either (1) full immunization, (2) the initiation of and compliance with a schedule of immunization, as required by rules of the state board of health, or (3) a certificate of exemption as provided for in RCW 28A.210.090. The attendance at the school or the day care center during any subsequent school year of a child who has initiated a schedule of immunization shall be conditioned upon the presentation of proof of compliance with the schedule on the child's first day of attendance during the subsequent school year. Once proof of full immunization or proof of completion of an approved schedule has been presented, no further proof shall be required as a condition to attendance at the particular school or center. RCW 28A.210.090 Immunization program -- Exemptions from on presentation of alternative certifications. Any child shall be exempt in whole or in part from the immunization measures required by RCW 28A.210.060 through 28A.210.170 upon the presentation of any one or more of the following, on a form prescribed by the department of health: (1) A written certification signed by any physician licensed to practice medicine pursuant to chapter 18.71 or 18.57 RCW that a particular vaccine required by rule of the state board of health is, in his or her judgment, not advisable for the child: PROVIDED, That when it is determined that this particular vaccine is no longer contraindicated, the child will be required to have the vaccine; (2) A written certification signed by any parent or legal guardian of the child or any adult in loco parentis to the child that the religious beliefs of the signator are contrary to the required immunization measures; and (3) A written certification signed by any parent or legal guardian of the child or any adult in loco parentis to the child that the signator has either a philosophical or personal objection to the immunization of the child. |
This article is not a recommendation for or against any medical procedure, and it is not a presentation of legal opinion or legal advice. This article is solely for the purpose of providing general information and to encourage readers to learn more about this important issue. |
