Idaho Immunization Exemption Form. New Form. Same Problem.

IDAHO STATUTES CLEARLY STATE: VACCINES ARE NOT MANDATED FOR DAYCARE or SCHOOLS.
LAW CLEARLY STATE A PARENT’S WRITTEN STATEMENT IS AN ACCEPTABLE FORM OF IMMUNIZATION EXEMPTION. 
When parents opt to submit the legally acceptable affidavit, Idaho Health Department declines it forcing schools deny the children’s registration.

Regardless of your opinion on the efficacy of vaccines, it is unacceptable to allow the Department of Health to mandate any form for school enrollment as that violates Idaho statute. 

New Form. Same Problem. 

Statute does NOT REQUIRE a parent to list specific vaccines.

PROBLEM # 1. LISTING ALL DISEASES/VACCINE EXEMPTED.
 Again, the statutes do NOT require parents to provide this type of information.

Per the Health Department Director Dick Armstrong, the parents have to supply the school with a list of the exempted vaccines because the school has no other means to know in the event of an outbreak. 
 FALSE!
The Health Department maintains a database of all children born in Idaho and their immunization status with the system known as IRIS and the schools have access to that information.
 In fact, the IRIS system accessible by health data vendors, the Health Department, Schools and licensed daycares, as well as all doctors and hospitals. Your child’s private medical information is in the system unless you specifically OPT OUT with the Health Department.
 Here’s the Health and Welfare Department training for the schools providing step by step access to children’s immunization records. https://youtu.be/VeOCPN9On0U

*** What then if a parent has chosen to OPT OUT of the vaccine tracking system IRIS?

http://healthandwelfare.idaho.gov/Health/IdahoImmunizationProgram/InformationforParentsFamilies/ImmunizationRecords/OnlineIRISOptOutForm/tabid/2495/Default.aspx

 In the event of an outbreak a parent would have to provide proof of immunization for that specific disease or be excluded from school.

Here is a very recent example from Idaho.
 This is a Feb 17. 2017 Notice from the Coeur d’Alene Public School:
 In the event of two or more confirmed cases in any one building — which classifies as an official outbreak — students who do not have proof of an MMR vaccination, even if they have a signed exemption, will be excluded from the affected school to protect our students and staff.
 Idaho Code 33-512-(7) outlines exclusions related to contagious diseases.
 Exclusions would last 26 days from onset of the last confirmed case.

**As a parent WHY am I so resistant to having the school have a list of the vaccines I choose to exempt my child from?
The IRIS tracking system is in place as an OPT OUT system. Meaning they put the information in the system and its my responsibility to make sure I request its removal (each and every time my child visits a provider that gives vaccines.) I can’t access the system to make sure that information is not contained in the central database. Instead I am forced to trust a government agency who has been intimidating and discriminating against people for years with a form that isn’t legal. I feel CERTAIN that my disclosure of this information would find its way into that State IRIS database without my consent and without my knowledge.

PROBLEM # 2. Acknowledging putting my child at risk…
 Again, the statutes do NOT require parents to provide this type of information.

Per the Health Department Director Dick Armstrong, parents make the choice to exempt their children of vaccines then they should acknowledge they are putting their children at risk to get the disease.
 FALSE!

Recent outbreaks prove UNVACCINATED CHILDREN ARE LESS LIKELY TO BECOME INFECTED IN AN OUTBREAK!

NOTICE the Health Department’s own rule states that there are only 3 items required to invoke the exemption however their form continues to ask for extraneous information.

There are 2 forms provided by the Department of Health in 2012 to the present. Legally you are required to make a statement of objection (you do not have to clarify that statement), your child’s name and birthday. Any additional information required by schools or the Health Department is illegal.

RESOURCES:

The state-prescribed form, based on IDAPA 16.02.15, is in violation of Code 39-4802 and 39-4804. The form developed by IDHW falls far outside the scope of Idaho Code 39-1118(2) and 39-4802(2).