Have you done the research and decided you do not want to vaccinate your children? You may have any number of reasons to choose not to vaccinate. Your child may have an illness that would be worsened by the shots. Or, perhaps you have religious beliefs that will affect your decision. In other situations, you may not want to vaccinate your child simply because you are concerned about the problems that might be connected with the vaccinations. Regardless, you should consider the exemptions that are offered in your state and see which one would apply to you. In some cases, you may find it difficult to get an exemption so it is important to start early to ensure you are able to protect your child from vaccines. The following are the three types of exemptions that are available. It is important to understand that not all states offer all three exemptions. In fact, only the medical exemption is offered in all 50 states and doctors will only give this one to children who truly do have a medical condition and cannot receive vaccines for safety reasons. The only other two are religious and philosophical and they are not available in all states. Do the research to find out what is available in your state.

Medical Exemptions

Medical exemptions are available in every state for children who cannot receive vaccines due to a medical condition. If your child has a medical condition or has had past reactions to vaccinations then receiving a medical exemption for your child to attend daycare, preschool, or school will be no problem. A doctor’s note is required with the application for exemption detailing the medical condition and why vaccines would be dangerous.

Religious Exemptions

A religious exemption is available in most states with only two not offering this option. A religious exemption allows parents to forego vaccinating their children by applying for an exemption based on their religious beliefs.

Philosophical Exemptions

Parents with strong beliefs against vaccines may apply for this exemption. Only 20 states currently offer this exemption so parents should do some research on what is available in their state and what their options are.

Babies and toddlers are subjected to an amazing number of vaccines while they are so young. The good news is that most get through them with nothing more than minor discomfort and occasionally a low-grade fever. However, severe reactions can and do occur. They do not occur in most children, but in some they do. These reactions may be life threatening so it is important to know what they are and to look out for them. Also, remember that if anyone in your family has had a reaction to a vaccine, even if it was just a sensitivity, your child should have a delayed vaccination schedule to give their immune systems more time to mature.

The following warning signs are some of the things you will want to look out for. Remember, you will want to keep a close eye on your child for up to 72 hours after the vaccines are administered. If your child is in daycare or with a childcare provider you will want to go over the side effects to look out for and be sure they are well aware of your child’s vaccinations. In most cases, infants and toddlers will be fine. However, if a severe reaction does occur it is very important to seek medical attention immediately. That is why you should be prepared with the different types of symptoms and side effects to look for before your child is ever vaccinated.

Side Effects

One side effect that is especially dangerous is a loud, high-pitched wail that continues for more than three straight hours. If your child is crying differently than usual and nothing you do will comfort them then rush them to the doctor or hospital immediately and explain they are having a vaccination reaction. Do not say you think they might be having a reaction. Be firm and tell the doctor what is happening to ensure your child receives immediate attention. If it turns out to be a false alarm that is okay, but if it’s not you did everything in your power to get your child immediate care.

A high fever is another sign to look for. Many children will experience a low-grade fever up to 102 degrees. However, if your child has a fever of up to 104 degrees then it is really important to take your child to the doctor. Many times a dose of Tylenol will be enough to bring the fever down. If not, you will want to call the doctor and schedule a same day appointment.

Some children may be especially groggy after their vaccinations. Being sleepy is normal, but if your child is so sleepy you have difficulty waking them up then you will want to call your doctor’s emergency hotline. Should your child experience convulsions you should rush your child to the emergency room or pediatrician’s office immediately.

Toddlers may have side effects from vaccines that vary in each child. It is always important to evaluate the child and watch them closely after a round of vaccinations to ensure they are not experiencing a bad reaction. Knowing how your child reacts to vaccines is very important and if you sense something is wrong it is very important to take the child to the doctor immediately and push for a closer evaluation. Doctors are accustomed to overly sensitive parents so they may not believe your child is experiencing a reaction to their vaccines.

If your child experiences any of the following reactions then you should visit your doctor immediately. The first is if your baby cries non-stop for three hours. Some babies cry a lot anyway, so this is difficult for parents to watch for. However, when babies or toddlers have a bad reaction to a vaccine it is a high shrill pitched cry that sounds unlike other cries you have probably heard. If you feel your child is crying differently than they ever have go to your doctor’s right away. Another thing to look for is a fever. If your baby has a fever that spikes over 104 degrees then it is time to call the doctor. Generally, your doctor will require you to administer Tylenol and see if the fever goes down. If not, then you will need to visit your doctor. Something else to look for is if your child is so groggy that you cannot wake them or if they are difficult to wake as well as if they have convulsions.

You should watch your baby or toddler for these side effects for at least 72 hours after the vaccinations. Other side effects your child might experience include a low fever, tenderness and redness at shot site, fussiness, loss of appetite, and sleepiness. Talk with your doctor to ask about administering Tylenol to your child before vaccination and afterwards to provide comfort.

Side effects of vaccinations can be scary and are part of the reason why so many people do not want their children to be vaccinated. It is important to understand what to expect and what to look for in case of a severe reaction. The good news is the vast majority of children do not experience anything more than a little discomfort after vaccination. However, since reactions may occur in a small percentage of the population it is very important to pay attention to your child closely.

There are many vaccinations required for babies and each vaccine has its own side effects. Not all babies will experience side effects while some will. Call your doctor before the child’s appointment to find out how much Baby Tylenol to administer to help alleviate some of the symptoms. The following are some of the side effects your infant might experience from various vaccines.

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is given to infants and serious side effects are very rare. The side effects that are more common include tenderness or redness at the injection site and fever. If your child is currently sick then the immunization should be delayed. If your child experienced an allergic reaction at a previous Hepatitis B vaccination then additional series should be avoided.

Pneumococcal Vaccine PCV

This vaccine protects against bacterial meningitis, pneumonia, and blood infections. Side effects may include a low fever, swelling or tenderness at injection site, or even redness. Previous reactions to the vaccine should warrant stopping this particular vaccination series.
DTap (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis)
The side effects of this vaccine include tiredness, crankiness, fever, loss of appetite, swelling at injection site along with redness and tenderness. Some children, in rare instances, may experience seizures. Most children have no side effects, but there is a small risk of complication.

Hib

The Hib vaccine is for Haemophilus influenza. This bacteria causes meningitis in children and the Hib vaccine helps prevent that. Possible side effects include tenderness, swelling and/or redness at injection site.

IPV

The IPV vaccine fights polio, which can cause paralysis. Risks of the polio vaccine include redness or soreness at the injection site. Other effects include fever. Children that should not have this vaccine include kids with an allergy to polymyxin, neomycin, or streptomycin.

Flu Shot

The Flu shot, also called the influenza shot, is given to protect against this viral infection. Side effects of this shot include swelling, soreness or redness at the injection site. Some individuals may have body aches and a low fever. The nasal spray vaccine may cause mild flu symptoms since it is made from a live virus. Very rarely does anyone experience a severe reaction to the flu shot.

All 50 states legally require children to be vaccinated if they are entering daycare, preschool, or the school system. However, exemptions are available for families who have religious, philosophical, or medical reasons not to vaccinate their children. Not all states offer all three types of exemptions and exemptions may be challenged by the state in certain situations. The reason vaccines are legally required, unless an exemption is received, is because it keeps disease at bay. Something called herd immunity is achieved when the majority of individuals in a specific area are vaccinated against a particular illness. When most people are vaccinated they are able to protect those who are unable to be vaccinated because of illness, age, or other reasons. One problem that occurs when too many people go unvaccinated is the herd immunity is threatened. Then, this leaves room for illness to spread. Because of this states do not give out exemptions to just anyone. A valid reason that fits one of the exemption reasons must be provided before an exemption is given.

Medical exemptions are always approved as long as a doctor’s note is provided explaining the medical condition the child has and why vaccination would exacerbate the condition. Doctors will only provide this note if the child truly does have a medical condition that would be worsened or cause additional side effects in the child. All states offer this type of exemption for vaccinations.
Philosophical exemptions are allowed in 20 states. This exemption is given to children whose parents believe strongly that vaccines are not the right thing for their child. These are not religious beliefs, but rather beliefs built on evidence, research, and other information that vaccines could be harmful to their child or are not as effective as they claim to be.

Religious exemptions are available in 48 of the 50 states. This exemption is for families who can prove that their religious beliefs do not allow their children to be vaccinated. For many families, this is the only option they have if their child does not fit in the medical exemption field.

You will not go to jail or receive a ticket if you do not have your child vaccinated. However, if you plan on sending your child to school then you will have to provide either a vaccination record or an exemption from the state you live in. If you cannot provide either of these then your only option is to home school your children.