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Every U.S. state has different laws regarding mandatory vaccinations and the channels available (if any) to qualify your child for exemption. Research your state's laws and determine a course of action for legally opting out (as discussed in the next several steps of this guide). This information can be found online on various websites dedicated to vaccine legislation.  Regardless of the method you choose for pursuing vaccine exemption, you will need to complete paperwork that states your objection to state mandated vaccination. This might consist of anything from a simple form filled out by the parent to an application that must be signed by a physician and submitted to the state for approval.  In some states, your child must have an established, doctor-verified medical reason for opting out of vaccinations. If you do not want your child to be vaccinated but they do not qualify for medical exemption, they will not be allowed to attend public school. Most states in the U.S. allow vaccine exemptions on the basis of religious objections, although some (like California) have recently taken away this option after witnessing large outbreaks of preventable diseases. If your faith prohibits your child from receiving medical care, you can pursue a religious exemption from state-mandated immunization.  Depending on your state's laws, this type of exemption may require a clergy member or other religious official to verify that you are a member of a church that subscribes to an anti-medicine ideology. It is unethical and irresponsible to claim religious exemption if this does not apply to you. If you are opposed to child immunization for nonreligious reasons, seek a philosophical exemption instead (discussed in a later step). If your child has a medical condition or allergy that would cause a serious adverse reaction to certain vaccines, your state likely allows exemption from the vaccine in question. You will need to submit verification of your child's condition from a qualified physician. Ask your doctor how to proceed with this process, as it varies by state.  Medical exemptions are extremely difficult to obtain, because the list of conditions that legally justify skipping out on your child's immunization is very short. If you have concerns about possible health effects from vaccines, your objection is philosophical, not medical. Some states allow healthcare workers other than M.D.s (Doctors of Medicine) and D.O.s (Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine) to submit medical exemption forms, but this is not common. This type of exemption has only recently been allowed in some U.S. states and is by far the most controversial. If you opt out of immunization for your child on a philosophical basis, you are saying that you have no medical or religious reason for doing so. Only 17 states allow this type of vaccination exemption, and some carry additional requirements such as a physician's signature or completion of a vaccine education course.  Different states use different terminology to refer to this type of exemption. Alternative terms include "conscientious" and "personal belief" exemption. This type of exemption requires that the parents (and in some cases the child) officially agree to opt out of all mandated vaccines. Currently, no state allows philosophical exemption from only one or some mandated vaccines. It is critical that you understand the seriousness of deciding to opt out of vaccines on philosophical grounds. It is a very good idea to discuss the matter with a physician, even if your state does not require a doctor's signature to seek this exemption. Additional information about this can be found on the CDC website. This type of exemption from vaccination is only allowed in some states and only applies in situations where the child has already been vaccinated against a specific disease, or has contracted and recovered from that disease. In either case, a blood test report verifying the presence of disease antibodies in the child is required. See your family doctor to pursue this type of exemption.  Proof of immunity exemptions only apply to the specific disease in question and cannot be used to gain exemption from any other vaccines. Blood testing services can be found in most family medicine clinics and usually carry a fee. Ask your doctor about whether their clinic offers these services.
Learn your state's exemption laws. Opt out on religious grounds. Opt out on medical grounds. Opt out on philosophical grounds. Show proof of immunity.