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can a child start school if they dont have all their shots?
luvmybaby August 19, 2008
Well you were not specific about what state you are in. In my state (California) you can not enroll until you have a full immunization and Dental check up. You recieve the paperwork at the school that your child will attend. Just have your doctors sign then your school will issue you an enrollment packet.14439
granolamomma August 20, 2008
As far as I know every state is different. I live in OK and I just sign a waver that I don't vaccinate. I would look on the web and find out the specifics for your state if you choose not to vaccinate.14438
buckaroo August 20, 2008
If parents can simply "opt out" their children, why have the school check at all?
Since allowing opting out puts MY child at risk at school, perhaps there should be separate schools for "opt out" kids.
I don't take my DOG to a kennel if they don't require up to date vaccinations. Why shouldn't my child's school be held to at least the same standard?14437
MagnetMom August 20, 2008
luv,
Not sure what part of California you're in, but unless it's a private school that somehow gets a different level of compliance, sadly every "mandatory" policy in California has a waiver.
The doctor visit by first grade has a waiver. The dental exam has a waiver. And the shots, well, there are two ways a student could start without their shots. First, if the student has certain shots, is on the young side of the class (so that the vaccines must be spread out), they can actually start without "all" their shots. My son had most of his shots, and received some after he reached 5, which was later in the school year. Secondly, as another posted pointed out, there is a waiver in California to attend classes without vaccines. In the waiver, parents accept the responsibility and also acknowledge that if an outbreak were to occur, their children will be kept home for potentially months at a time.
If you are concerned about families that may or may not be up to date at your school, talk to the nurse. Clearly they can not name names, but they should be able to give you an idea of how many people ask for the waiver. I seriously doubt you'll ever be able to figure out which kids are not, unless you ask the parents in your child's class.14435
luvmybaby August 20, 2008
Magnet
You seem like your 100% sure of all the rules and regulations. Well my Husband Teaches and has been at my child's school for 6 years now. He needed his TB shot just to start. My child was Required by the school district to have a Complete Dr.and Dental exam. Yes there is shortcuts when it comes to your child being young, but being that kinder is not mandatory your child must have Full and Complete records by 1st Grade. My answer was a response to my District and how I felt about having my child vaccinated. Our school does not release any form of records without consent of the parents. My child information is Private. So when you say ask the schools nurse, they are not allowed to give any type of of response because it will not be accurate. I do understand that not all districts are the same. If parents don't feel there child needs complete check ups that's all on them. I am extremely active in my child's school and have never met or heard that parents don't want/haven't had there child vaccinated.14434
MagnetMom August 20, 2008
Hi luv,
I'm sorry if you felt I sounded too authoritarian. I'd never say I'm 100% sure of anything, because no matter what happens this year, next year someone at the district or the state level will surprise everyone and change the rules again. I can only speak for LAUSD and the issues I work for/against at the state level. I think the dental exam has been in place for two years, because my daughter was in kindergarten when it was mandated from the state. And like virtually every other health measure for public schools, it can be waived.
And of course, teachers can be required to have TB tests, because as employees the rules are different than rules for students. I believe TB tests are good for two years, but that might only be for volunteers.
Congratulations on your involvement in your child's school. With both of you actively involved he or she will benefit from it.14433
buckaroo August 21, 2008
Actually, MagnetMom can comfortably feel 100% correct, at least as far as California is concerned.
The California Health and Safety Code Section, Division 105, Part 2, Chapter 1, Sections 120325-120380 and the California Code of Regulations, Title 17, Division 1, Chapter 4, Subchapter 8, Sections 6000-6075 fully cover the immunization requirements including the waivers.
Here's a link to the California School Immunization Record: http://ww2.cdph.ca.gov/pubsforms/forms/Documents/DCDC-Immuniz/pm286b.pdf
Look on the back for the form parents sign to opt out.
Sad.... but 100% true in California.
And while your child's health record is confidential, that does not mean the school can't inform other parents of non-personal information. For example, they can send home notices that A child at the school was found to have lice (yuck). They can't say WHICH child has it, but they definately can let other know. Same with chicken pox notices. So the office nurse lets you know that there are 5 children at the school with waivers to vaccines would NOT violate privacy act as it does not name the children. It does not mean the nurse HAS to tell you. It just means she CAN tell you if she desires. (I'm guessing she probably WON'T tell you because who needs the extra work.)
Again, I want to add that I have no problem if someone wants to opt out their child. I just think they should be separated from those of us that ARE choosing to protect their child from those diseases.
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granolamomma August 22, 2008
How does my child not being vaccinated effect you or your child if they are vaccinated? Must not feel very confident in your childs health. I know that my 3 children are rarely sick, but my friends who use "conventional" medicine seem to always have something wrong. You must also realize that vaccinations are not 100%. I was told my children would be sent home if there was an outbreak, since they aren't vaccinated. I responded by asking how this would happen in a school full of vaccinated children and the nurse laughted. There should be no reason anyone should be upset that an unvaccinated child is in your childs' class, your child is protected, mine isn't what's to worry about?14431
buckaroo August 22, 2008
No vaccine is 100% effective in preventing disease. Thus your unvaccinated child DOES pose a health risk to my child as well as others.
Vaccinating your child not only protects other vaccinated children, but especially protects those that for medical reason, are unable to take vaccinations due to medical conditions.
14430
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