Tomorrow New York City’s new mandate requiring annual flu shots and a pneumococcal injection for children enrolled in pre-school, daycare, Head Start and pre-K between the ages of 6 months and 59 months goes into effect. In a decision that is both a stunning abdication of responsibility, combined with a shocking violation of parental rights, Mayor de Blasio announced that there will be no consequences for schools and programs that enroll children who have not received the shots, however, directors of individual programs can use their discretion to either admit or turn away children who have not received the shots. The Mayor will not make a consistent policy, but he will take away parental rights, and in essence give that decision to random administrators. If your child is denied enrollment please contact us at: [email protected] New York State law allows for exemptions from vaccine mandates for families who have “religious beliefs which are contrary to the practices herein required”. For those of you who want an exemption for religious beliefs you must submit a letter in your own words, not a letter written by a lawyer or member of the clergy, stating your religious reasons against immunization, and provide that letter to the school or program director. The school or program director will probably have no idea what to do with the letter so you should include a reference to Section 2164, paragraph 9, of the Public Health Law of New York: 9. This section shall not apply to children whose parent, parents, or guardian hold genuine and sincere religious beliefs which are contrary to the practices herein required, and no certificate shall be required as a prerequisite to such children being admitted or received into school or attending school. See it here: public.leginfo.state.ny.us/LAWSSEAF.cgi?QUERYTYPE=LAWS+&QUERYDATA=$$PBH2164$$@TXPBH02164+&LIST=LAW+&BROWSER=BROWSER+&TOKEN=14938328+&TARGET=VIEW Any mention of a concern about the side effects of vaccines, toxins, autism, lack of efficacy or any potential health effects of the vaccine will probably be used to dismiss your application. New York City policy is to use any reference to health concerns as evidence of non-religious beliefs. Keep it strictly spiritual. New York allow also allows for medical exemptions, but do not apply for a medical exemption. You will not get it. And the physician who signs a medical exemption letter will probably find him or herself under investigation by various public health authorities. According to New York State law a child who is not in compliance with the law may remain in school for up to 14 days. Program directors will probably not be aware of this aspect of the law. Further directions on applying for a religious exemption may be seen here: schools.nyc.gov/NR/rdonlyres/E369FA10-ABC0-43AB-BDE6-062F4ACF7D0D/0/parentlettertorequestexemptionletterhead92014.pdf In the last two years New York City has increased the barriers to getting a religious exemption. There are two advocates who we recommend who specialize in assisting families negotiate the religious exemption process: Gary Krasner, contact info at cfic.net Rita Palma, contact info at mykidsmychoice To subscribe to action alerts and news from the Autism Action Network please go to autismactionnetwork.org and fill in the contact form. Please share this message with friends and family and please post to social networks.
Posted on: Sun, 11 Jan 2015 17:45:06 +0000
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