[kmcnelly]

I completely disagree with the school's decision here. Although I respect the poster's opinions on here that believe all children should be vaccinated, that is a parental choice. That aside...this to me sounds like a MAJOR hippa violation. Isn't a vaccine still a medical procedure? And does the school have any right to know anything about the medical history of these kids??

[wtbcrna]

Originally Posted by kmcnelly

I completely disagree with the school's decision here. Although I respect the poster's opinions on here that believe all children should be vaccinated, that is a parental choice. That aside...this to me sounds like a MAJOR hippa violation. Isn't a vaccine still a medical procedure? And does the school have any right to know anything about the medical history of these kids??

I don't see the merit in your argument.

1. The school is only enforcing the law as they are required to do.
2. If there is a medical problem where the child can not get the vaccine all the parent needs to do is bring in a note from their medical provider.
3. I see no hippa violation here. The school didn't publish all the students names in the papers and say they didn't get their vaccines etc.


This is one of those things where you either believe the government has the right to intervene in public health concerns or they don't.

[Spidey's mom]

I have to say I have a bit of a problem with the school telling me what I can and cannot do with my children.

I'm pro-immunization. The only one I didn't get my 6 year old was the chicken pox vaccine.

Admittedly, these parents were late in signing exemptions. But I signed an exemption for the school to have records of my son's dentist appointments - what business is it of theirs? I just got a note that I needed to get the dentist's records for the school or sign an exemption. Which I did before school started. So, I signed it again.

steph

[wtbcrna]

Most of these parents had two years to provide documentation and still didn't comply. The school is required by law to enforce vaccinations or the school district gets into trouble, and possibly the nurse/other could lose their job.

I didn't see it in the newsweek article, but the school also set up vaccination lines (even one at the court house) in order to help these parents get their children vaccinated.

I don't see any fault with what the school did. I am sure it was a hard decision to make.

[Noryn]

We had a discussion about vaccinations before the post was locked but I absolutely disagree with this. This is going way too far. If they are a threat to the school, ban them from the school but why would you arrest a parent over this? This will set a very dangerous precedent. Or you can take the easy way out which is what most people do, take advantage of the religious waiver.

[mercyteapot]

It doesn't violate anyone's right to arrest them for breaking the law, even laws with which many of us disagree.

Vaccinations are a public health issue. I am in favor of allowing parents to opt out of vaccinating their children, given the complications that their children could develop. However, if the law says you have to register your objection, why the **** don't they just do it? If people honestly want to claim a philosophical objection to complying with the law, then they need to be ready to face the consequences for doing so. Courage of one's convictions and all that...

[Jolie]

Originally Posted by kmcnelly

I completely disagree with the school's decision here. Although I respect the poster's opinions on here that believe all children should be vaccinated, that is a parental choice. That aside...this to me sounds like a MAJOR hippa violation. Isn't a vaccine still a medical procedure? And does the school have any right to know anything about the medical history of these kids??

2 points:

No one is forcing vaccinations on these children. If they didn't want their children vaccinated, all the parents had to do was sign a waiver.

No HIPAA violation has occured. School health records are not subject to HIPAA. They fall under FERPA, a different piece of legislation with different rules about disclosure of information.

[wtbcrna]

Originally Posted by Noryn

We had a discussion about vaccinations before the post was locked but I absolutely disagree with this. This is going way too far. If they are a threat to the school, ban them from the school but why would you arrest a parent over this? This will set a very dangerous precedent. Or you can take the easy way out which is what most people do, take advantage of the religious waiver.

Here is a more comprehensive article that explains it little better.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/loc...,6746721.story

Again, I guess I am on the extreme side. I don't see anything wrong with it, but I guess it all depends on how serious you take public health concerns and the potential health threat to your own children.

[kmcnelly]

Originally Posted by wtbcrna

I don't see the merit in your argument.

1. The school is only enforcing the law as they are required to do.
2. If there is a medical problem where the child can not get the vaccine all the parent needs to do is bring in a note from their medical provider.
3. I see no hippa violation here. The school didn't publish all the students names in the papers and say they didn't get their vaccines etc.


This is one of those things where you either believe the government has the right to intervene in public health concerns or they don't.

Well, I believe that the law is unconstitutional. Why does the state have the right to tell you that you have to vaccinate your children or sign a waiver? Also, from my understanding, a vaccination is a medical procedure, and the school officials will be expelling those students who do not get said medical procedure. What inferences do you think the neighbors will draw of those children who are home after the deadline for an extended period of time? Or the teachers of these students? Or their classmates? They may not be publishing their records, but they are letting it be known the reason for their expulsion.

[Noryn]

Originally Posted by wtbcrna

Here is a more comprehensive article that explains it little better.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/loc...,6746721.story

Again, I guess I am on the extreme side. I don't see anything wrong with it, but I guess it all depends on how serious you take public health concerns and the potential health threat to your own children.

From what that article says though either you have to register a religious or medical exemption. It doesnt appear that you can just state your objection and be done with it. My point is, why are we talking jail here? If these kids are a threat to public health take them out of the school system. I can even see perhaps mandating polio or pertussis but is chicken pox really a threat to public health? I am also not convinced about the safety of some of the new vaccines. In 1999 didnt they pull the rotavirus one because it was attributed to intestinal blockage?

As I said I just dont think refusing the chicken pox or hep b vaccination is a crime that should result in jail time. But I bet these drug companies are loving this and frankly that scares me.