NJ Makes flu shots mandatory for pre-K

NJ has become the first state to make flu shots mandatory for all kids in day care and pre-K.

http://politics.healthdiaries.com/new-jers...eschoolers.html

FWIW, I'm totally against it, even though I'm pro-vaccination. Big brother strikes again.

Whoa, I am adamantly opposed to that, and a little frightened by it too. Aside from all the typical reasons, where does government stop once they dictate what we inject into our childrens bodies?

This makes me so irate. I have no more kind words I can say.

Lame...

Holy WOW, I don;t agree with making it mandatory, althought I am pro vac as well!

So what happens if you don't get it???

OH MY GOSH!!! That is ridiculous, they can make is mandatory here if they want to but they will put me in jail before they make me give my child a flu shot!!!

Ita, Ed. I just went through this with my 17 yo ds, who is participating in a health sciences mentorship program through the county. He spends half the school day shadowing doctors, physical therapists, nurses, etc...in order to learn about the medical professions and whether or not he wants to pursue his plans to be a physical therapist. It's a great program and I'm thrilled he's involved.
But we parents were called to a meeting during which we were informed that if we didn't consent to a flu shot for our kids, they'd be kicked out of the program, without exception. That includes religious exemptions, which to me seems illegal. This infectious disease dr gets up and gives a long, "don't-worry-it's-safe" speech which I found to be incredibly patronizing and full of contradictions. He prefaces the speech by saying that flu shots are not associated with Guillan Barre Syndrome (a VERY serious neurological virus that can leave permanent disabilities like paralysis), but he lost his credibility when I read the vaccine release form, which said that people with a risk of or history of Guillan Barre shouldn't get the shot. Ok, so if there's no risk, why's it on the form??? It was pretty infuriating--I want him to have this educational opportunity, but to do so, I have to surrender my own rights to make decisions about my kid.

Can you obstain based on religion...your should be able to. In VA they "require" that new vaccination for girls going into 6th grade, but we don't really have to. My doctor did not even ask when I went for a check up with DD.

I think the word "manditory" get thrown around a lot, by big shots who think it scares people into responding they want you too.
I am not a pro vaccination mom and have with held many from my kids.
However each time it has been challanged, when it came right down to it, the paperwork was just never submitted and never questioned.

This year the schools were mandating chicken pox vaccines, and yet never followed thru on it. Guess it wasn't all so important after all.

ITA. I do vaccinate; this year our ped said it was best to wait for the meningitis vaccine (which became mandatory for middle schoolers this year) because it would lose its effectiveness by the time it was important to have protection, which is the college years. I got a nastygram from the school, and when I called, they just sent home a wavier form, I signed it, and everyone is happy again. And I have no religious objections, just said that the doc thought it in his best interest to wait.

I am pro-vaccinations however, I do not think it is right to force anything upon anyone. Raygen can NOT have a flu shot right now until her immune system is 100% back to normal and here we are 16 months later and its not 100%. I had to fight about the chicken pox vaccine this year with the school because her Cardiologist, her Infectious disease dr and her peds dr all said NO on it right now. The school had to call the dr and ask about it and then do paper work on it.

Its wrong that they done this because alot of places will follow suit and require it next.

how dumb. i do vac. and we do the flu vac due to myas asthma.

I really hope your not talking about the vac for down there. cuz mya sure as heck isnt getting it. they can kiss my left hindquarter.

Is there something wrong with the right hindquarter?!?

Sorry, that was likely inappropriate, but your comment just made me LOL!!