Laura said:
Ya'll see if you can find anything on exemptions.
Georgia - No official state form. A written exemption which must be notarized
_http://www.unhinderedliving.com/statevaccexemp.html
If you do not want your child to have immunizations based on your religious beliefs, you must provide a signed, notarized affidavit stating the reason.
See sample Affadavit(s) below.
_http://www.clarke.k12.ga.us/offices.cfm?subpage=283
Excellent Resource
GEORGIA - IMMUNIZATION EXEMPTIONS by State (includes current statutes, letters & forms)
_http://www.vaclib.org/exempt/georgia.htm
Most states now require the Hepatitis B vaccine for newborns. Many parents are also cornered by emergency room personnel during accident visits. Hospitals nationally are under pressure to utilize every opportunity to score a "hit." If your pediatrician understands your views, get him involved with the hospital. As a last resort, protect your right to receive quality care in the following manner. (Usually, you'll never find anybody in the hospital to sign this simple form):
"I certify that the (Name of Vaccine)________ vaccine being administered to (Name of Child)_________ is free from all known and yet unknown zoonotic or human viruses or viral fragments and will not cause acute or chronic illness in the recipient due to viral contamination or as a reaction to the components of this vaccine. (Signature of Physician and Date)_________."
If you do get a signature, hold on to the form.
_http://www.vaclib.org/exempt/georgia.htm
Valid claims for exemption from immunizations based upon religious beliefs now encompass PERSONAL religious beliefs. This is a much broader base than was possible before we won several landmark cases. A great number of people fail to utilize this right to a religious exemption because they view religion in traditional terms and do not feel the exemption can apply to them because they are not members of a specific church, such as the Christian Scientists.
Religion goes far beyond simple membership in a church, attendance of services, adherence to prescribed dogma, or participation in various rituals. While an exact definition of what would constitute a "religious belief" varies depending upon what purpose is being applied to the use of the word "religion in", pursuing a claim for a religious exemption from immunizations the standard which must be considered is that which is established by the United States Supreme Court. Therefore, in adherence to the First Amendment of the United States Constitution guarantee of freedom of religion, the test in determining whether a belief constitutes a "religious belief" sufficient to qualify for the religious exemption from immunizations, is whether the adherents' beliefs and faiths occupy a place in their lives parallel to that filled by the orthodox belief in God held by others; or any other "sincere religious beliefs which are based upon a power or being, or upon a faith to which all else is subordinate or upon which all else is ultimately dependent." U.S. Vs. Seeger, 380 U.S. 163 (1965), Sherr and Levy vs. Northport East-Northport Union Free School district, 672 F.Supp. 81, (E.D.N.Y. 1987)
The right to claim exemption from immunization based on religious beliefs is available to all persons who hold religious beliefs against immunization regardless of what any state statute may say regarding the necessity for membership in any particular religious group or church.
The first amendment to the U.S. Constitution prohibits states from discriminating between people based on their religious beliefs. If there is any state law that allows for exemption based on religious beliefs, it is available to all those people who hold religious beliefs against immunization even if their beliefs are personal and unique to them alone.
Copyright © James R. Filenbaum, Attorney at Law all rights reserved.
Two Executive Boulevard, Suite 201, Suffern, NY 10901
_http://www.vaclib.org/legal/yourrights.htm
A note about exemptions:
• Medical Exemptions are used only when a child has a medical
condition that keeps him from being able to receive a specific
vaccine. The 3231 certificate should show an expiration date of
no more than one year.
• Religious Exemptions are not documented on the Form 3231 and
no special certificate is available or needed. Religious exemptions
should be documented by a notarized affidavit signed by the
parent or guardian and should include their religious belief. The
notarized statement should be kept on file by the school or facility
in lieu of a Form 3231 and it does not expire.
For further questions about Georgia Immunization Requirements,
please call 404-657-3158.
_http://74.125.113.132/search?q=cache:MAizb-ZukaMJ:www.choa.org/Menus/Documents/ForProfessionals/student/BB_VaccineNews_Vol2_2006final.pdf+%22Georgia+Vaccine+requirements%22&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us&client=firefox-a
Georgia Immunization Program Manual 2008 (pdf-683 pages)
_http://health.state.ga.us/programs/immunization/
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A sample "Letter" that can be modified and notarized
AFFIDAVIT
I/We, _________________________, Sui Juris, Free, Natural Flesh and Blood Human Being(s), state Citizen(s) of the Georgia Republic affirm: Be it known to all courts, governments, and other parties that:
Being (a person/people) of Strong Christian Morals, it is against (my/our) Deep, Sincerely Held, Religious Convictions to accept the injection of any foreign substance into (my Body/our Bodies) or the Body of (my/our) Child. This includes, but is not limited to, any and all, Vaccinations, Shots, Tests for Diseases, Oral Vaccines, Epidermal Patches and in any other way that Live or Killed Bacterium, Viruses, Pathogens, Germs, or any other Microorganisms, may be introduced into or upon (my/our) newborn's body.
This written statement to exempt (my/our) newborn from any immunizations, newborn screening, and the Vitamin K shot, because (I/we) hold genuine and sincere personal religious beliefs which are inconsistent with these medical procedures & experimentation. The practice of vaccination and the injection or application of any foreign substance is contrary to (my/our) conscientiously held religious beliefs and practices, and violates the free exercise of (my/our) religious principles.
The Hepatitis-B vaccine supposedly protects against a disease that is only transmitted through multiple sexual partners or street IV drug users and therefore usurps (my/our) parental authority to condemn such activity in (my/our) child. The acceptance of this vaccine promotes sexual promiscuity and immoral behavior in direct contradiction to the teachings of (my/our) faith.
The prescribing information on Vitamin K shot states that fatalities are an adverse reaction according to the Merck pharmaceutical package insert.
_http://vaclib.org/chapter/inserts.htm#vitK
"WARNING - INTRAVENOUS USE Severe reactions, including fatalities, have occurred during and immediately after the parenteral administration of AquaMEPHYTON® (Phytonadione)."
A conflict arises because (my/our) religious convictions are predicated on the belief that all life is sacred. God's commandment
"Thou Shall Not Kill" applies to the practice of injection of carcinogenic substances that can kill.
(We / I) {First and Last name(s)}, as the {(parent (s) / guardian(s)} of ______________________(name of newborn child) are exercising (our/my) rights under the
First Amendment of the US Constitution, Ga. Code Ann. § 31-12-7, and
O.C.G.A. § 20-2-771 (4e) to receive Religious Exemption from Vaccination & testing.
(We are/I am) prepared to sue in Federal Court by invoking
42 USC 1983 if Vitamin K injection, Hepatitis B vaccine, and Newborn Screening is forced upon (our/my) child.
Applicable law has been interpreted to mean that a religious belief is subject to protection even though no religious group espouses such beliefs or the fact that the religious group to which the individual professes to belong may not advocate or require such belief. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as amended Nov. 1, 1980; Part 1605.1-Guidelines on Discrimination Because of Religion.
Our legal rights are guaranteed by the free exercise clause of the
First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Recent court decisions have upheld the rights of individuals seeking exemptions from immunizations based upon personal and religious reasons. On the
U.S. Supreme Court level in Frazee V. Illinois Dept. of Security, 489 U.S. 829, it was found that a state may not deny an exemption simply because a person is not a member of a formal religious organization.
The Lord Jesus Christ and Our Creator are the only source of protection of (my body/our bodies) and that of (my/our) family that (I/we) can accept.
(I/We) affirm that vaccination & injections of any foreign substances and proteins conflict with (my/our) religious beliefs as stated above. Therefore, (I/we) would request that you accommodate (my/our) religious beliefs and practices by exempting (my/our) newborn child from any vaccinations, injections and testing of any kind.
Rest assured that (my family and I/our family) do practice a form of immunization that keeps our immune systems strong and is in keeping with Biblical principles.
Further Affiant Saith Not
The use of notary below is for identification only, and such use does NOT grant any jurisdiction to anyone.
Subscribed and sworn, without prejudice, and with all rights reserved, (Print Name Below)
_______________________________________________________________,
Principal, by Special Appearance, in Propria Persona, proceeding Sui Juris.
_______________________________
Signature of Affiant
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
state of Georgia
county of _________________:
On this _______ day of ______________, 200___, before me
personally appeared __________________________________, to me known to be the person described in and who executed the foregoing instrument and acknowledged that he executed the same as his free act and deed, for the purposes therein set forth.
_______________________________________
(Notary Public)
My Commission Expires ______________________________, 200___
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Another Example Affidavit
-First copy & paste the code from your state. Example follows:
[Education, Part III, Health, Ga. Code Ann. §20-2-771. Rules of Department of Human Resources Public Health, Ga. Comp. R. & Regs.§ 290-5-4-. 01 to .09.]
-Then copy & paste the section that pertains to religious exemption. Example:
[A child may be exempted on religious grounds if a parent furnishes an affidavit swearing that the immunization required conflicts with the religious beliefs of the parent. The immunization may be required in cases when such disease is in epidemic stages. O.C.G.A. § 20-2-771(e). Religious belief in divine healing through faith not to excuse refusal to have children vaccinated. son v. State, 84 Ga. App. 259, 65 S.E. 2d 848 (1951).]
-Then continue with the following: Pursuant to the aforementioned (insert above code), I, the undersigned, declare the immunization requirements as set forth in O.C.G.A. § 20-2-771(e) contrary to my bona fide religious beliefs and request, as permitted by the law, an exemption from the immunization requirements of your institution for myself or the undersigned minor child under my legal care or guardianship.
NAME ______________________________________
SIGNATURE__________________________________
ADDRESS____________________________________
___________________________________________
PHONE_____________________________________
DATE_______________________________________
___ Check here if declaring exemption for a minor child and enter child's name below.
MINOR CHILD'S NAME _________________________________________
ADDRESS______________________________________
_______________________________________________
PHONE_________________________________________
DATE___________________________________________
---------------------------- **A nice, professional looking affidavit. BTW, they are not allowed to ask your religion.
__________________
**This can be copied to Wordpad & edited to your needs.
Note:
Exemption letters, affidavits, and statements must all be notarized in Georgia.