Is it illegal not to have a child vaccinated?

Question

A friend has a new baby and does not want to have the child vaccinated by the doctor. I was worried that she could possibly face some sort of neglience charge.

Answer 1

Hi there,
No, it is NOT illegal nor is it negligence to not get your children vaccinated. Though it is not well known (thanks to the government and to many doctors) You have a CHOICE in whether or not to get your child vaccinated. No public school can refuse your child either. You actually just have to sign a waiver that states that you have chosen not to vaccinate for spiritual, personal or other reasons. The only thing is, private daycares can have a vaccination policy and are legally allowed to refuse your child if not vaccinated.
A child who is not vaccinated is not being NEGLECTED. The parents are making an informed choice. If you do the research on it, there are pros and cons to both side of the story, and it turns out to be which you believe is the lesser of two evils. Some studies show that these diseases were nearly GONE by the time vaccinations came about, and there is no proven studies that show that vaccinations helped eliminate them (such as polio). Clean water, good sewage systems, and health care are what eradicated some of these diseases, scarlett fever being one of them (which we do not get vaccinated for).

Measles, mumps and rubella are NOT dangerous illnesses, though rubella is to a pregnant woman. I am not gettting the MMR for my daughter until she is a teenager. Also, diptheria (which is eradicated from the U.S.) is no longer necessary for our children. Tetanus I can see, and maybe pertussis, though many pertussis cases are very minor.

Hep B vaccine is COMPLETELY useless to a young baby, and even to most adults. If you aren't having dangerous sex, or doing drugs, or working with blood, you simply don't need it.
What I'm saying is, it is the FURTHEST thing from negligence that I know of. These parents are informed and have made a very personal decision for themselves. They cannot be charged with negligence. It is their right to refuse any kind of medical treatment, including vaccinations.

Answer 2

It is not illegal not have your child vaccinated. The child will NOT be automatically taken away by Children's Services for not being vaccinated (though if someone reports you for neglect, CS is usually obligated to follow through with an investigation if they deem it necessary and you may be a bit hassled by it).

Now, will your child be able to go to school if he or she is not vaccinated? If you're in the USA, there are only two states that don't provide the possibility of exemptions from the vaccination policies for religious or philosophical reasons.

Personally, all of my children have been and will be vaccinated. I have three older children (15, 17, 19) who had every vaccination right on time. The worst side effect from the shots was when my oldest had an arm that was a bit more swollen than any other time, along with a slight fever. The worst possible side effect from not getting a child vaccinated? Death. For myself and my husband it's an easy choice. The shots themselves don't hurt to terribly (our daughter has actually laughed when she's gotten some of her shots) and the possible consequences for not having the shots is unacceptable to us.

Answer 3

It is not illegal but it's not very smart at all. Other then the fact that most schools will not accept kids that have not been vaccinated a baby does not have the immune system to withstand many illnesses. So if your friend wants to use her child and let the baby get very sick or even die from the illnesses so she can prove something to pharmaceutical companies tell her to go right ahead.

How many babies died 10 or 20 years ago compared to today just because of the vaccines.

Answer 4

It is not illegal, however it is not the best idea. Young moms get all worked up over hurting the child, or exposing the child to diseases in vacciness, however, the truth of the matter is that not getting the vaccines will expose the child to much more harm than getting them ever will. Childhood diseases are serious and through out history have killed thousands and there are plenty of mothers who would glady have their children vaccinated if given the chance to hold them again. You friends is not doing her child any favors and is not being a good protective mother, she is being ignorant of the whole facts. Also, hope she intends to home school her children because the child can not attend school, play county sports, join the military without vaccines and the child will never be able to travel out of the county. So what live is she offering?

Answer 5

Its not illeagal and don't let anyone scare her into thinking it is. She is the mother and she has the right to refuse vaccinations. Even when it comes to school, she can file an excemption.

Vaccinations are a tricky subject. Its not black and white and everyone should do their own research. We have desided to delay until AT LEAST 2 years and we will deside which vaccines are the most important at that time. The less chemicals injected into my baby, the better, IMO.

Most of the diseases we vaccinate against were on the decline before the introduction of the vaccine. Largely due to better sanitation practices. From what i understand from other mothers, unvaccinated children are healthier overall, because thier immune systems have not been messed with.

Many things have been connected to vaccines... asthma, diabetes, arthritis, gulienne barre syndrome... its not just the immediate reactions that parents are scared of.

Answer 6

Not illegal but could be a HUGE problem when it comes school time unless she isn't doing it because of religious reasons. Schools want to see the immunization records when they start, some preschools and daycares do too. The vaccines don't hurt the child indefinitely. They might swell for a day or two but then it's over. I'm mom to 3.

Answer 7

Yes and No...its not against the law to NOT have the baby vaccinated, however...leaving the hospital, the parents may get harrassed and the staff MAY call CPS on them...I have heard of this happeneing...untimately, the parents cannot be prosecuted . the next big issue is day care and school, many states do have a 'religious exemption' from vaccines for children attending public schools, but not all, NY for example, has no such classification. And Day Care does not have to comply with relgious exemptions. So your friend will not go to jail, but she does face some serious hurdles in the future.

Answer 8

I vaccinate the two. A puppy proprietor is legally in charge and required to get mandated vaccinations (rabies being the main important one). Granted, if the proprietors don't have their animals authorized interior the direction of the county, i assume they might get away with it. inspite of the incontrovertible fact that, with that stated, they extra clever be careful and desire their animal isn't in contact in a combat or will become loose as they might get in hardship for no longer being vaccinated. Vaccinating babies is turning out to be extra of a private determination, even nevertheless nonetheless heavily recommened and recommended. it is not unlawful to no longer vaccinate your babies nevertheless.

Answer 9

It's not illegal in Australia though I know that alot of schools where I live wont accept non-vaccinated kids for safety reasons.

Answer 10

no, it is not illegal. some people will tell you that vaccinations are bad and can cause all types of illness, such as autism. however, the risk is very small and i would much rather run the small risk of something happening with the vaccination than my child getting polio or some other disease.