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VACCINATION MYTH #9: "Vaccinations are legally mandated, and
thus unavoidable..." ...or are they?
There are three exemption possibilities in the U.S.:
1) Medical Exemption: All 50 states in the U.S. allow for a medical exemption. A few
states allow licensed naturopathic or chiropractic doctors to issue medical exemptions in
addition to medical doctors. However, few pediatricians check for indications of increased
risk before administering vaccines, so it is advisable for parents to research this matter
for themselves. Epilepsy, severe allergies, and siblings' previous adverse reactions are
but a few of the many conditions in child or family history which may increase the chances
of an adverse reaction, and thus qualify for a medical exemption;
2) Religious Exemption: Nearly all states allow for a religious exemption. This may or
may not require membership in an established religious organization, as individual state
laws vary; and
3) Philosophical or Personal Exemption: An increasing number of states allow one of
these exemptions, in recognition of the controversy and/or violation of freedom that
mandated vaccination laws impose.
Generally, exempted children may not be banned from attending public schools and
colleges except during local outbreaks. It is best to contact local school officials in
advance to determine their particular procedure for handling exemptions.
The best source for a copy of your state's vaccination laws is state health officials
or your public library. A phone call to the state Department of Epidemiology may be all
that it takes to get a copy mailed to you.
VACCINATION TRUTH #9:
"Legal exemptions from vaccinations are obtainable for most--but not all--U.S.
citizens."
INTRODUCTION
MYTH #1: "Vaccines are completely safe..."
MYTH #2: "Vaccines are very effective..."
MYTH #3: "Vaccines are the main reason for low disease rates
in the U.S. today..."
MYTH #4: "Vaccination is based on sound immunization theory
and practice..."
MYTH #5: "Childhood diseases are extremely
dangerous..."
MYTH #6: "Polio was one of the clearly great vaccination
success stories..."
MYTH #7: "My child had no short-term reaction to
vaccination, so there is nothing to worry about..."
MYTH #8: "Vaccines are the only disease prevention option
available..."
MYTH #10: "Public health officials always place health above
all other concerns..."
SUMMARY and About the Author...
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