Preschool Immunisation Policy

[Manxie]

Hi

I have been advised here on bubhub previously that places cannot discriminate against parents who have chosen not to immunise their children.

However, I am just looking a preschools for my DD and have one of the places I am looking at has an immunisation policy which states that:

..XX Pre-School Centres will not enrol children
without proof of immunisation in accordance with the
recommended Health Commission Schedule.


:detective: So whats the story? No immunisation proof no chance? What do you think they will do if you show them your conscentious objectors form.

I dont really feel like paying them an enrolment fee if DD is never going to get in as she dosent meet their immunisation policy.

Any ideas

[Mum&bubs]

I'm not sure, I thought you had to have a written explanation from your doctor saying that you have chosen not to immunise but I could be wrong.

Surely those rules can't stand!

[SilverStarfish]

It depends on the centre - some are allowed to refuse enrollment according to immunization status and there's probably a difference between community/private etc based care too.

Where it is a centre that caters specifically for children with severe allergies and chronic disorders (I've worked for one of these) having a child who is not immunised can put the health of others at risk - so they specify the need for immunisation in their enrollment policy.

Have you asked the centre about CO forms? You might find that they will accomodate you, provided you understand that you'll have to remove (temporarily) you child immediately if certain illnesses in the centre are reported.

[OM]

As long as you have handed in the Conscientious Objection Form you should be able to attend I thought.

[Manxie]

Hi Mum&Bubs

I've got the concentious objectors form which is signed by my g.p. but their policy seems fairly clear and they are VERY popular so can pick and choose who they accept.

[christen]

I have heard of primary schools asking to view the blue book of your childs records that you get at the hospital and filled out by the MCHN. If it is not filled out to meet their requirements they will not allow the child to be enrolled.

I can kind of understand where they are coming from....but after all it is your choice and your child, i think it is to protect other children.

[Manxie]

I can kind of understand where they are coming from....but after all it is your choice and your child, i think it is to protect other children.

I am all for protecting the other children and would be happy to remove DD if necessary.

I just dont really want to have a fight if they are going to want my life history as to why I have chosen not to fully immunise my child then I guess she wont be going there:rolleyes:

I havent spoken to them yet but kind of figure why would they bother accepting my DD who dosent meet their requirements if there are another 20 kids waiting for places who are fully immunised?

[Pippi Longstocking]

Ring them and ask them. It is discriminatory to refuse enrolment based on immunisation status. People don't vaccinate for many reasons and it would be unfair to refuse education to these children.

As far as I am aware, have a conscientious objectors form filled and signed by a GP is classed as "proof of immunisation in accordance with the
recommended Health Commission Schedule."

[Josh]

The primary school which my kids go to includes a pre school, you have to be fully immunised to gain enrolment,it is there policy, no immunisation, no go,but i suppose all schools have their own policies.

jodie:wave:

[forbetoel]

Same with my kids kinder and school, you cannot get in unless they are immunised, but there must be some places that wave the rule if you do have a signed document from your GP, however my kids schools, don't accept any non vax kids. I am sure you will find somewhere though!

[shed]

As far as I am aware, have a conscientious objectors form filled and signed by a GP is classed as "proof of immunisation in accordance with the
recommended Health Commission Schedule."

Yes, that is what I thought too, although I haven't looked into it any further than what the daycare stated and that is what THEY meant. We have proof - the CO form is our proof.

I guess it depends on which is most important to you, the preschool or the non-vaxing if that is not the case.

Good luck with it and keep us posted.

[Manxie]

Thanks guys. I have booked to go on a tour in a couple of weeks and thought I would take my completed application form and the CO form attached to it and see what they say.

Dont want them to take my money if they arnt going to accept her but I wont be vaxing her just so she can go there.

I shall keep you posted

[rainbowbeetle]

my centre is community based long day care.
we have a few children who arent immunised..

they attend our centre, but know if there is a immunisation preventable disease going around, eg german measles as we do at the moment, then these children will be excluded for their own safety hopefully

i dont know your reasons behind not immunising, but hopefully you can find the right place for your child

[missie_mack]

Are you by any chance in Qld? There was a case where a child was excluded from a preschool in Qld due to not being immunised and it was upheld when taken to court.

Each state has their own policy. In NSW and Vic they all ask their immunisation status (that letter from medicare) but they cannot discriminate based on this. In the case that something comes through the school that your child hasn't been immunised against they are excluded.

I found a ACT Document that states that the concientious objection form is [ click here] (http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/www.nphp.gov.au/workprog/lrn/legtools/immunomodprov_complete.pdf)
Here is NSW policy [click here] (http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/www.health.nsw.gov.au/archive/cib/circulars/1994/cir94-24.pdf)

I will keep looking for some others and post back :thumbsup:

[Manxie]

Hi MM

I am in SA adelaide, would be great to have some info as I am going tomorrow for a look see.

I have copied my CO form but I am loathed to part with $60:eek: if they have no real intention of accepting DD.

[missie_mack]

VISA (vaccine info SA) say on their website that that they cannot exclude the child. Have a look and maybe contact them for the legislation... I am not having much luck locating what I am looking for in SA [click here] (http://www.vaccine-info-sa.communityaustralia.net/newsletter.html)
Don't forget if they try and bully you that by releasing that type of information to anyone is breaching federal privacy laws....

HTH