[babybel]

I have a dilemma in my Middle school. There is a parent who does not want his child to get the last in a series of Hepatitis B immunizations. This information has been passed on to the principal and superintendent, but since the parent was a past member of the school board (a real troublemaker), and they have not been tenured, are reluctant to confront this parent for fear of their jobs. It has been suggested that I should drop the request (if you know what I mean)to remove the child from school as per law. They also refuse to give me a letter in writing stating their position. So if the school gets fined, I would be blamed for failure to report. So, how would you handle this?

[BadBird]

If it is required by law then I would treat that child/parent just like all the others in the school. Do your job the correct way and if there are any reprecussions let you union deal with it. Of course a paper trail would help you, put in writing what was said to you and keep a file.

[Loribabble]

Would the parents be willing to have a titre drawn? Many people are fully immunized after only 2 doses - I was.

[Nurse Ratched]

Originally Posted by babybel

I have a dilemma in my Middle school. There is a parent who does not want his child to get the last in a series of Hepatitis B immunizations. This information has been passed on to the principal and superintendent, but since the parent was a past member of the school board (a real troublemaker), and they have not been tenured, are reluctant to confront this parent for fear of their jobs. It has been suggested that I should drop the request (if you know what I mean)to remove the child from school as per law. They also refuse to give me a letter in writing stating their position. So if the school gets fined, I would be blamed for failure to report. So, how would you handle this?

I'm not sure what part of "required" is unclear to that parent .

We get a lot of crap from parents, too (the kids are just older.) Fortunately, we also get a lot of support from our administration.

Just out of curiosity, WHY after two doses does the parent want to forgo the third? And are they willing to homeschool?

[traumaRUs]

I chose NOT to have my children immunized for hep B - in Illinois - although "required" - you can still complete school without it. My oldest son has true idiopathic anaphylaxis and I saw no reason to subject him to something like this. With my younger son, even though he has never had an anaphylactic reaction - our MD advised against it. I would find out the "why" behind this first.

[Nurse Ratched]

Originally Posted by traumaRUs

I chose NOT to have my children immunized for hep B - in Illinois - although "required" - you can still complete school without it. My oldest son has true idiopathic anaphylaxis and I saw no reason to subject him to something like this. With my younger son, even though he has never had an anaphylactic reaction - our MD advised against it. I would find out the "why" behind this first.

I'm sure there are exemptions in every state - medical contraindications and the like. The idea that her admin wants to cave (without seeing if the person meets the exemption, but because they are afraid of the influence the person has? ) is unacceptable. Rules are rules. Immunizations are a matter of public health. In the absence of a good reason for the student not to get the immunization, I wouldn't care who the parent was.

[CCU NRS]

Originally Posted by babybel

I have a dilemma in my Middle school. There is a parent who does not want his child to get the last in a series of Hepatitis B immunizations. This information has been passed on to the principal and superintendent, but since the parent was a past member of the school board (a real troublemaker), and they have not been tenured, are reluctant to confront this parent for fear of their jobs. It has been suggested that I should drop the request (if you know what I mean)to remove the child from school as per law. They also refuse to give me a letter in writing stating their position. So if the school gets fined, I would be blamed for failure to report. So, how would you handle this?

I know at work we allowed to sign a form relasing the hosp of liability stating refuse series, etc. I was thinking that this part of the new requirements for schoolage children though I would just turn it over to the Board of Health or who ever.

[bergren]

"I'm sure there are exemptions in every state - medical
contraindications and the like." Ditto - call your state health department or your state school nurse consultant http://lserver.aea14.k12.ia.us/swp/tadkins/nassnc/NASSNC_members.html
and find out how to document the exemption.