can a dr refuse to sign??

[sirenz]

I need to get a conciensious (sp?) objection form signed by my ds doctor to say i don't want to get his vacs done. Can the dr refuse to sign it? Just want to know what i'm up against when i ask her to sign it.

thanks

[melbel]

No they cannot refuse to sign.....they have to by law inform you of all the risks of not vaccinating etc, so expect a bit of a speil unless your GP is more modern, but at the end of the day it is your choice and they have to sign the form for you.....

[HotI]

The statement that the dr signs says

I declare that i have explained to the parent or guardian of the child named above the benefits and risks associated with immunisation, and that i have informed him/her of the potential dangers if a child is not immunised

So the Dr has a responsibility to discuss with you the potential effects of not vaccinating in order that they CAN sign the form.

[visitor1]

I need to get my 2 DD's form signed too. If my Dr wont do it...ill just go to another one.

[Kailani]

My chiropractor is signing our form. She didn't vax her DD either so no dramas. They can't refuse but they can bully/manipulate/make you feel you're doing wrong against your child but stand your ground and don't hesitate! I got a lecture today by the MCHN at DS's 4 month check "why haven't you vaxed yet" "you must at least get the pertussis vax"

[Inanna]

HollyM your chiropractor cannot sign the form - it has to be a person with a degree in medicine.

I actually think they can disagree - just as a doctor can refuse to do a termination, a tubal ligation, a circumcision. I personally think that's fair. I think as a practitioner they have every right to take a stand on an issue that they believe in strongly. Just as it is my right to disagree with that stand.

It is within their rights to refuse to sign the form. (according to a phone call I just had with said practitioner! )

I actually know quite a number of doctors who refuse to sign...

It's up to us to source out a practitioner that doesn't have such a strong opinion - there are plenty who don't have an ethical dilemma with it

[Just Me]

Sorry to thread crash - I am just interested about the forms - does a doctor have to sign a form if you decide not to vaccinate? I just assumed that you wouldn't have them vaccinated and that would be that . . . probably demonstrating my ignorance here

Just so there is no confusion - I am asking this question just out of interest, I have had my children fully vaccinated and I am happy with my decision (not that I want to debate the issue of vax vs non-vax though I have looked at the info from both sides and find it interesting). I am curious more than anything . . . it is not my intention to judge or anything like that I was just interested in how things work.

Sorry Sirenz, hope you don't mind me posting in here.

Thanks everyone

[melbel]

If you choose not to vaccinate or to partially vaccinate you need to get a consientious objection form signed. With this form you can still claim the immunisation allowance even if you do not vaccinate your child and I think you also need it to enrol in schools, kindies etc as an alternative to your vaccination certificate you would have or would receive at school age....

[Just Me]

I always wondered about the immunisation allowance and daycare and things like that if you decided against immunisation . . . thanks Melbel

[sirenz]

yeah thats why i need it cause i have enrolled ds in daycare one day per week so he can start socializing with kids his own age and its going to cost $45 per day unless i get him either vacs or get the form signed and from the reading i did last night (just to make sure i had my facts straight) i have definately decided not to go any further with his vacs.

It really pis**es me off when the government says oh its not compulsary to vax but then shove in your face that if your child isn't vaxed then you get no help from us!!!!

Why can't they just accept that some people choose to vax and some people choose not to? Why do they have to judge people and make a HUGE deal out of it?

I don't want the money they give to ppl for vaxing because that is for ppl who vax their kids, BUT i do want the help with the childcare fees because why shouldn't i be entitled to it for choosing not to vax..

wow that feels better after having that little vent, didn't realise i had so much to say about it lol.

[sirenz]

I just need to get something else out:

When i last took ds to the dr, she told me i should make an appointment with her to discuss why i haven't vax ds. Now she told me to allow 1 hour for this appointment.. do you think i should arm myself with all the information I have gathered to support my decision, or just go in there and tell her how it is??

what exactly should i take with me?? what would be the most important information to show her??

shouldn't she already know what is in these vaxes and what affects they could have on ppl they are injected to?

[Inanna]

Sirenz if you have made a studied and informed decision - sit with that and let it be your truth.

You could take the Magna Carta and you won't be heard. Mostly they are not interested in your research as they have read it/ heard about it or judged it. Most professionals are either one way or the other - if an hour is required I would say that they will be trotting out the stats. Also re,ember that a good many GP's truly believe that immunisation is the best way. My advice would be to always remember that usually they really believe that this is an important thing - & it is even if you don't both agree on how it should be handled.

If it were me - I would listen because I have learned that I can always learn something. I would then say: "thankyou for sharing today I will consider what I have heard and research further". Then do that. Consider it.

Then if you still choose not to vaccinate - make an appointment for her/him to sign the form that you can have posted to you from m/care.

Good luck darling.

[Just Me]

I don't know if this helps you out much but there is a document somewhere on the internet (I can dig it up for you if you like) for health professionals on what to say to families who choose not to vax. It is a gov't document . . . it might give you a bit of an idea of what the doctor will say to you before you go so you can be prepared.

[Lulu]

I have had the same lectures too. The lectures ended when I was given time to ask my own questions back. I had to sit there whilst she looked up the answers.

If she gets all het up about it, remain calm and state your reasons. I haven't yet had any of my reasons discounted. Just silence and the form signed.

[Kailani]

Flowerchild - I thought so too but she insists she's permitted to sign it! Confused now...

[Just Me]

I thought I would give you this link anyway - this is what health care providers are meant to tell you about immunisation so it might give you an idea of what to expect and that way you can be prepared for how you would like to respond. It is not my intention to offend anyone with this document, I am just trying to help. The attitudes expressed in this document would probably come across a bit offensive and arrogant if you choose not to vaccinate but I think it is what the doctor will say to you anyway so you might as well be prepared - it will also give you an idea as to what guidelines the doctor is following

Immunise - Immunisation Myths and Realities: responding to arguments against immunisation 4th edition

Hope it helps . . .

[sirenz]

thanks for that link, it does seem to be something she will probably tell me so it would be good to read up on that.

thanks everyone, i will keep you informed as to how I go. I haven't made the appointment yet though. probably next week.

[SamiH]

yeah thats why i need it cause i have enrolled ds in daycare one day per week so he can start socializing with kids his own age and its going to cost $45 per day unless i get him either vacs or get the form signed and from the reading i did last night .

$45 a day is cheeeeeeeeap for daycare - my kids are fully vaxed - my choice - does that mean that if you dont vax you have to pay a penalty or something on top of fees?