Hello to those who have successfully obtained a religious exemption from the Covid 19 vaccine. Could you please share how you formatted your exemption letter and what you included? More Like This CDC Decides to Stop Tracking Community Transmission of COVID-19 by Praveen, MSN, RN Does the shot mess with your DNA? by Floor_Nurse Canadian Nursing Shortage: Why Canadian Nurses are Leaving Permanent Staff Positions by LOMalleyCommunications Ethical Arguments Against Mandatory Vaccination by ldhrn73
JadedCPN, BSN, RN 1,476 Posts Specializes in Pediatrics, Pediatric Float, PICU, NICU. Has 17 years experience. Aug 24, 2021 23 minutes ago, NurseA2021 said: Hello to those who have successfully obtained a religious exemption from the Covid 19 vaccine. Could you please share how you formatted your exemption letter and what you included? What was the reason your religious leader said not to get the vaccine? This is the person who should be responsible for the exemption letter.
Home Health Columnist / Guide NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN 11 Articles; 17,846 Posts Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion. Has 46 years experience. Aug 24, 2021 My employer had their own religious exemption form that was required to be used and approved by our facilities employee health department to opt out of vaccinations. There are many examples of a "Religious Exemption for Covid-19 vaccination" forms online. Examples: Columbia University --- personal view form or established Organized Religion https://www.tc.columbia.edu/media/administration/preparedness/Request_for_Religious_Exemption_from_COVID-19_Vaccination_Form_Employees_6-10-21.pdf
emtb2rn, BSN, RN, EMT-B 2,939 Posts Specializes in Emergency. Has 21 years experience. Aug 24, 2021 50 minutes ago, NurseA2021 said: Hello to those who have successfully obtained a religious exemption from the Covid 19 vaccine. Could you please share how you formatted your exemption letter and what you included? Just wondering what your objection is, since as far as I know, no major religion outside of christian scientists & the dutch reformed church formally object to vaccination.
lesipsem 4 Posts Aug 24, 2021 On 8/23/2021 at 9:00 PM, JadedCPN said: What was the reason your religious leader said not to get the vaccine? This is the person who should be responsible for the exemption letter. For exemptions, you don't need to be a member of a religious entity or believe in a "defined" god. However, if the employer suspects that the exemption is not in good faith, they can ask for more documentation. Since religious beliefs can be unique to an individual, evidence from others is not always necessary. However, if the CP (charging party) believes such evidence will support his or her claim, the investigator could seek evidence such as oral statements, affidavits, or other documents from CP’s religious leader(s) if applicable, or others whom CP identifies as knowledgeable regarding the religious belief, observance, or practice in question that conflicts with an employment requirement. https://www.eeoc.gov/laws/guidance/section-12-religious-discrimination#h_984461328691610748665504 Or as lawyers would say: Religion Title VII and similar state fair employment practices laws protect employees who refuse to take a mandatory vaccine because of sincerely held religious beliefs. Membership in a church or even a belief in God is not necessary to substantiate a religious objection. A strongly or sincerely held moral or ethical belief would also likely be covered by the law, but political or general philosophical objections likely would not be covered by Title VII. https://www.bclplaw.com/en-US/insights/qanda-covid-workplace-vaccine-issues-for-us-employers.html
toomuchbaloney 10,834 Posts Specializes in NICU, PICU, Transport, L&D, Hospice. Has 44 years experience. Aug 24, 2021 I hope that very few health care businesses or employers will choose to honor fringe beliefs about vaccination.
jive turkey 677 Posts Specializes in A variety. Has 11 years experience. Aug 24, 2021 22 hours ago, NurseA2021 said: Hello to those who have successfully obtained a religious exemption from the Covid 19 vaccine. Could you please share how you formatted your exemption letter and what you included? Unless you're interested in debating the religious exemption and being met with a high degree of criticism you may be better served asking they DM that information. Expect feedback from people who feel that allergies or medical contraindications are the ONLY reason not to get the vaccine. You'll be told several times no religion objects to vaccination. Anyone who has information to offer would be wise to DM it unless you're interested in rebuttals from those that oppose your view.
Guest219794 2,453 Posts Aug 25, 2021 This doesn't answer your question but, since you brought it up....... I object to religious exemptions of any kind for anything. I don't think that my understanding of my religion is any more legitimate than your beliefs, whether they come from a generally accepted structure or not. Oddly, I think that for the overwhelming majority of those declining the vaccine, their beliefs are as valid as any religious beliefs. Faith is the belief in something for which there is no evidence. There are literally millions in this country who believe that the earth is 5,000 years old. There are many who believe Jesus wants their leader to have a new jet. People believe all kinds of stuff, and vaccine hesitancy is at least as rational as many religious beliefs.
Horseshoe, BSN, RN 5,879 Posts Aug 25, 2021 If the rationale for restricting unvaccinated persons' access to societal privileges is that they are more likely to transmit Covid and thus are a public health risk, why should it matter what the reason is for their vaccine refusal? Makes zero sense to me. Their rationale (religious objections) doesn't make them less likely to transmit disease to the general public than someone who just doesn't like being told what to do or someone who doesn't trust a "rushed" vaccine. If an unvaccinated person by virtue of any objection whatsoever has to sit out of certain societal privileges such as eating in restaurants, travel, attending a concert, going into stores, etc., so should people who object due to religious reasons. Why is their objection more valid than someone else's?
Guest219794 2,453 Posts Aug 26, 2021 9 hours ago, Horseshoe said: If the rationale for restricting unvaccinated persons' access to societal privileges is that they are more likely to transmit Covid and thus are a public health risk, why should it matter what the reason is for their vaccine refusal? Makes zero sense to me. Their rationale (religious objections) doesn't make them less likely to transmit disease to the general public than someone who just doesn't like being told what to do or someone who doesn't trust a "rushed" vaccine. If an unvaccinated person by virtue of any objection whatsoever has to sit out of certain societal privileges such as eating in restaurants, travel, attending a concert, going into stores, etc., so should people who object due to religious reasons. Why is their objection more valid than someone else's? While I agree with your take on social privilege, work is actually different. There is an expectation, even laws, I believe, that a workplace make reasonable accommodations for religious, or deeply held beliefs. But, at a certain point, one's beliefs, whether supported by a recognized religion or not, are incompatible with the job. For example, if your religion forbids driving, the bus company doesnot have to make accommodations. The no vax thing is part of a belief system. That belief system is incompatible with providing health care in a pandemic.
SmilingBluEyes 20,964 Posts Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis. Has 26 years experience. Aug 26, 2021 2 hours ago, hherrn said: While I agree with your take on social privilege, work is actually different. There is an expectation, even laws, I believe, that a workplace make reasonable accommodations for religious, or deeply held beliefs. But, at a certain point, one's beliefs, whether supported by a recognized religion or not, are incompatible with the job. For example, if your religion forbids driving, the bus company doesnot have to make accommodations. The no vax thing is part of a belief system. That belief system is incompatible with providing health care in a pandemic. Bears repeating. Bolded part mine.
