Re: NJ: Some Parents Seek Options to Vaccine Orders

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By JILL P. CAPUZZOPublished: December 23, 2007Source: NYTimeshttp://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/23/nyregion/nyregionspecial2/23vaccinesnj.html?ref=nyregionspecial2 CONCERNED about possible side effects of vaccines and an ingredientthey contain, some New Jersey parents are investigating ways to optout of the shots, four more of which will be required of publicschool students beginning next fall.Members of parent networks around the state have been abuzz since thecommissioner of the New Jersey Department of Health and SeniorServices signed an order on Dec. 14 that mandates annual flu andpneumonia vaccines for children under 5 years old attending licensedday care or preschool beginning Sept. 1. New Jersey is the firststate to mandate flu shots for preschoolers. Two other vaccines & mdash; one against a fast-killing strain ofmeningitis and the other a booster of the immunization againsttetanus, pertussis and diphtheria & mdash; will also be required ofsixth graders.Citing what some parents believe is a link between autism and themercury-containing preservative thimerosal, which can be found insmall amounts in the flu vaccines, some parent groups vowed to pushharder for the right to refuse the vaccines on philosophical grounds,an exemption that exists in other states but not in New Jersey.Legislation to that effect has been introduced but has gained notraction, according to the bill & rsquo;s sponsor, AssemblywomanCharlotte Vandervalk, Republican of Bergen County. The Health Department does not support the philosophical-groundsexemption, said Slater, a department spokesman, because statesthat provide that option have had outbreaks. Although medical studies have found no link between autism andthimerosal, Mr. Slater said parents could request thimerosal-freeversions of the flu vaccine.Otherwise, New Jersey parents have four options to circumvent thevaccine mandates: by receiving a religious exemption, receiving amedical exemption, having their children attend parochial or privateschools or having them stay out of the school system entirely. Each poses its own set of challenges, opponents of mandated vaccinessay.In 2006, 2,200 New Jersey students received vaccine exemptions; 1,600were religious exemptions and 600 were medical. Those waivers, grantedby the local school districts, represented less than 1 percent of thetotal number of children vaccinated, Mr. Slater said.To file for a religious exemption, a parent must write a letterstating how the vaccines conflict with the family & rsquo;s religiousbeliefs. Previously, religious exemptions were largely limited toChristian Scientists, who believe in no medicines or surgeries. Therules were amended in the 1990s to include all religions. The application for a religious exemption does not requireverification by a member of the clergy.Barbara Flynn, a Summit mother of two, helps parents draft queriesabout religious exemption through her Web site,www.callingtheshots.info, where she provides a sample three-pageletter, with 27 pages of supporting data. & ldquo;I & rsquo;ve covered all the bases in my letter, so parents canchoose whatever aspect they like, & rdquo; Ms. Flynn said, adding thatparents & ldquo;should never state something they don & rsquo;t believein. & rdquo;Medical waivers are more difficult to secure, because doctors arereluctant to request them and the schools have the right to challengethem if there is no clear evidence that the vaccine would harm thechild. & ldquo;Doctors feel intimidated into not giving theseexemptions, & rdquo; said Schlafly, general counsel to theAssociation of American Physicians and Surgeons. & ldquo;They & rsquo;reafraid they & rsquo;ll be investigated by the medical board or delistedby the insurance companies. & rdquo;As for home schooling, Amy Galarowicz, of North Caldwell, a member ofthe Holistic Moms Network, sees this as a growing alternative forfamilies seeking to avoid vaccines. In interviews for her & ldquo;Guide to Alternative Education inNorthern New Jersey, & rdquo; Ms. Galarowicz said the vaccine issue wastypically the second or third reason mentioned by parents who chose tohome-school their children. The debate has socioeconomic connotations as well, she said. & ldquo;It & rsquo;s unfortunate that it & rsquo;s the informed parentswho are going to pursue exemptions or home schooling, & rdquo; Ms.Galarowicz said. & ldquo;But it & rsquo;s the working parents, who arerunning to keep up, who are going to trust what the doctors say anddon & rsquo;t have time to investigate what & rsquo;s best for theirchild. & rdquo;

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