Is it required to get your children vaccinated before they start school?

Every state except Mississippi and West Virginia allows parents to opt-out of the vaccine requirements for daycare, and both public and private schools, for either personal beliefs or religious reasons, or both. Most states require private schools to accept exemptions. It depends on the specific wording in the state law. Mississippi only allows a medical exemption, but doesn't require vaccines for homeschooling. West Virginia requires vaccines even if you homeschool, unless you have a medical exemption. Even if you don't apply for an exemption, every state requires fewer vaccines than are on the CDC's recommended schedule. Here is more detailed exemption information for every state. http://www.mothering.com/discussions/showthread.ph...

No. Private schools can set their own policies, but public schools cannot force vaccination if the parents sign a form that says that it is against their religious beliefs. Most private schools will accept religious exemption or may not ask at all, but I have heard of certain private or charter schools, particularly in high-density high-risk areas like New York, denying admission. Very few though, most don't want to risk a lawsuit if a parent decides to make the case as freedom of religious practice. Some states and provinces want vax records for homeschoolers too, but it's just as easy to get around there too, with the exemption.

My only experience in the US was in San Juan Cty WA, and for home education no one ever asked me for records of vaccination. Some of the foster children I had over the years attended public schools and did have to have proof of them which was provided to me by services, but that is about the only time I've ever been asked a question about vaccinations at all.

I live in California too. No,vaccinations are not required for public schools,however, the parent has to sign a medical or spiritual waiver to release the children from vaccinations.

And there will be alot of judgment and /or harassing from the school nurse the whole time.

well most schools require the main contagious ones however all public schools are required to allow for religious and personal convictions regarding immunizations. I remember when I enrolled my son for Kindergarten they wanted to make my son take a second TB test because the negative results were hand written by his doctor. Not wanting to deal with my son having to have 2 TB tests in 1 month I called the doctor for a print out but that was not good enough for the school (something about having to have a new test done because of paperwork..BS BS BS) so I just said "look I changed my religion and political views this week and we really can't get him a new test. They made me fill out a short form and I listed my religion as "Church of James Tiberius Kirk" and that was that there really wasn't anything they could do.

Where I live yes, however I don't understand why you wouldn't vaccinate your child. If it's the fear of autism, that probably one of the biggest myth's around. It's as valid as the myth that teenaged boys will get "hairy palms".

There are more instances of autism in children who are not vaccinated than there are in children who have been vaccinated. There is definitely a genetic component in autism. It's more prevalent in males than females, and it's more likely to occur in the same family more than once. In fact, a few months back I saw a story while watching the news that said they pinpointed the exact gene in DNA strands that people with autism have as a different gene than those who do not have autism. Therefore, vaccinations do not cause autism. They could trigger it, but they don't cause it. Just like if you have a gene for an allergy--it may not be triggered unless you're exposed to something that bothers it.

Parents can fill out an exemption form if they do not wish to have their child vaccinated, otherwise children need them.

Places like private schools or other private facilities can deny you if you aren't vaccinated, but they also can use the exempt form. It all depends on the establishment.

For spiritual or religion beliefs, no, you do not have to have your child vaccinated. I believe you need to fill out paperwork, however.

Public and private schools both require it per state law. Home schooling does not.

It's required pretty much everywhere, unless a child is medically fragile. If you don't understand why, ask some older folks about measles, mumps, polio, etc.

Yes if they are. most schools will not let them in roll. its also healthy for the child