In September my son (4) started PreK. Previously having never been in daycare I knew he was going to get sick often but I didn’t expect THIS often. He has pretty much been sick nonstop, and it has created chronic ear infections. He’s been on various antibiotics ever since to see if they’ll clear with time before tube surgery.

So when you’re on antibiotics, you can’t get vaccines. My son was due for his 4 yr shots in September but I kept having to reschedule because he was always on antibiotics or running a fever from a sinus infection or ear infection from the viruses he keeps catching. He was finally scheduled today to get his shots + flu shot and he was up all night throwing up and crying in pain with his ears as well as running a fever. I called his pedi and they were like “okay, just reschedule for next week”. Got it. You can receive vaccines with minor infections, but since my son is so uncomfortable and in pain, his pedi agreed it’s probably best to not add on to that right now. HOWEVER, since he’s so delayed for his shots, his school has been saying he’s out of compliance and that he can’t come back without his updated shot record OR a temporary religious exemption. I went forward with the temporary exemption until we can get his infections under control and then I plan on getting him his vaccines and updating the record.

Went to the department of health this morning to pick up the form and I was spoken to soooo rudely by everyone. They all basically implied I was an idiot and a bad parent for not vaccinating. This old man behind the desk was like “do you realize what you’re doing?” I was like “my son’s medical history is not your concern.” He rolled his eyes and basically threw the form at me. Once I signed all the papers this woman was like “and what religion do you have that is requiring this?” while LAUGHING visibly at me. I didn’t even respond, I was so angry and upset. Then another woman handed me a pamphlet on vaccines. I was like “I’m not even anti-vaccine. We have a medical reason to not vaccinate right now.” And she said “yeah I’m sure you do.”

I’m sorry to those with actual religious or philosophical beliefs that prevent you from vaccinating. I didn’t realize the hoops and judgement you have to dodge from it. 😔