D.G. asks from Chicago, IL on April 06, 2008
Vaccines and Preschool
My husband and I have decided to delay vaccines until our daughter is 1.5 - 2 years old, and then do a very conservative schedule. However, I was reading in the Chicago Public School catalogue that to apply for pre-schools, your child has to be current on vaccines. I know that there is a religious waiver in Illinois but this isn't the case with us - we're simply delaying. I am worried that we will be denied from pre-schools based on this choice. Does anyone have experience on the subject with the CPS. Thanks in advance.
More Answers
N.K. answers from Chicago on April 07, 2008
I'm a CPS teacher. Our students are from many different countries, some with good health care and others not so good inluding refugee camps and grass huts. I've had students who crawled through sewers with their parents to get here. Others grew up in overcrowded orphanages prior to being adopted by American families. Some have been living in refugee camps for years. Your child will be spending time with other children from many different backgrounds for hours every day. We are so lucky to live in Chicago with so much diversity. Our children get to grow up with people from every corner of this Earth. Please don't think I'm telling you to get all of the vaccines sooner. Vaccines scare me too. But a school setting with children from all over the world might not be the best place for a child who isn't immunized. Perhaps you could delay pre-school until the vaccincations are complete. Whatever you do, best of luck to you and your daughter.
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A.G. answers from Chicago on April 07, 2008
Is there a reason you have decided to delay this? Talk with your pediatrician and discuss the pros and cons of this.
My girls had all vaccines available and on schedule and are just fine, No side effects, no autism . . .
Your daughter will need her vaccination schedule not only for pre-school but for camp, the YMCA, college, etc.
A.
Mom of two healthy vaccinated young ladies.
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J.R. answers from Chicago on April 07, 2008
I am a proponant of vaccinating, and the CPS teacher offered very stong reasons to vaccinate for your child's health. Another reason to vaccinate is for the health of the children and people who will be in contact with your daughter. Leaving her unvaccinated or delayed in vaccination leaves her vulnerable to diseases which she can carry and spread to others as well as get sick from herself. Some of the vaccines are actually aimed at protecting elderly people from diseases that kids commonly carry and aren't particularly harmed by, but which can devastate the weaker immune system of the elderly. I would encourage you to try to keep your child vaccinated. The vaccination schedule is one which is open to interpretation by your pediatrician, but ehich has been well thought out and organized by doctors and scientists who care about the health of all of our children.
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D.B. answers from Chicago on April 07, 2008
Greetings, My name is D.. My daughter is now 5 yoa. I decided not to go the conventional route with vaccinations. My daughter has a wonderful pediatrician who is also an allergist, uses homeopathy and acupuncture in his 25 plus year practice. Dr. Lin is not currently taking on new patients (but you never know--he might) but the children that come to him all use homeopathy in their healthcare and grow up to be very healthy adults. Why not look into natural vaccines, which could include homeopathy or a way of supplementation for your childs healthcare needs if you decide to continue with conventional vaccinations. I know that was not your question, but just thought I would give you and your husband ideas for other options. Good Luck
M.E. answers from Chicago on April 08, 2008
I it's interesting when people write that their kids are vaccinated and healthy. You really don't know for years to come what all the adjuncts and metals are doing to their immune system and brain. All the diseases that "evolve" are able to penetrate due to a weakened immune system. Most talk about the pain of the shot...or because they 'appear' healthy for now that everything is okay. How can we not wonder what all the adjuncts and metals are doing to our children's bodies over time. The CDC will never be 100% honest with the public. They test new vaccines on us (i.e. prevnar and rotavirus) and then recall them..it's just sad that we have to worry about this. We should be demanding "green, perservative-free vaccines". Injecting the virus to stimulate a response is one thing, poisoning us only gives the pharm companies MORE MONEY because we get sick and need more from them... ahhhh. m
P.C. answers from Chicago on April 07, 2008
Check the law, which you can probably do on-line. I don't think it is actually a religious waiver, that is, you don't need it to be part of your religion. (Besides, a school district certainly doesn't want to call your church!) I believe you can just submit a statement saying either that it is against your beliefs (not stating a faith) or why you are not complying, which might leave room for them to tell you no. Also, even a very conservative schedule will probably mean you are still up to date by school age, possibly even preschool age.
If you have your doctor write a note explaining that you are on a later schedule, but are keeping up with that schedule, that would almost certainly be acceptable to any school district. (The person doing the follow up doesn't really care about the vaccines, just the paperwork to cover themselves!)
My children were already attending CPS when I received a note home that one of my children was out of compliance on one vaccine and I was given a reasonable amount of time to get the vaccine before they would not allow him back in.
J.G. answers from Chicago on April 06, 2008
We have not vaccinated my 13 month old since he was 6 months (have not vaccinated for Hep B) and will probably forego must (if not all) of the vaccines left on the schedule. My son's homeopathic doctor said that he knows of a lawyer in Bollingbrook who can take care of situations where vaccinations are foregone/delayed; however, I don't have his/her name yet. But my point is, there is a legal route that can be taked (correct paperwork that should be filled out and filed) so that your partially vaccinated daughter can attend school.
S.M. answers from Chicago on April 07, 2008
Hello D.,
This is a common practice believe it or not due to various reasons. I would suggest that you request a copy of the policy and procedure section regarding vaccinations from your local CPS school. I am not sure of the exact wording but the vaccines are recommended not neccesarily required. Keep in mind that it is for protection but also keep in that there are side effects when receiving vaccines. Hope this was helpful.
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