Michigan Law Protects Vaccine Choice

Michigan legislation provides exemptions to mandatory vaccinations for medical, religious or other reasons. This can be found in Statute §333.9215.

Personal Exemptions

A child is exempt from this part if a parent, guardian, or person in loco parentis of the child presents a written statement to the administrator of the child's school or operator of the group program to the effect that the requirements of this part cannot be met because of religious convictions or other objection to immunization.

Medical Exemptions

A child is exempt from the requirements of this part as to a specific immunization for any period of time as to which a physician certifies that a specific immunization is or may be detrimental to the child's health or is not appropriate.

"Okay, but what does this mean for me?"

In short, Michigan State Law establishes that a parent can secure a permanent exemption for their child from the requirements of mandatory vaccination through the sole act of presenting an appropriate written statement to their child’s daycare or school. No further active participation of the parent is required by law to perfect this exemption.

Furthermore, Federal Law establishes that the written statement constituting the exemption becomes a permanent, confidential record subject to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), which would mean that it is not subject to routine disclosures—including the health department—without your express permission.

About Daycare and School Exemptions

"What about the health department waiver?"

Michigan was the first state to mandate an "education session" at a local health department with the implementation of Administrative Rule 325.176 (12), which seeks to require parents or guardians who want a religious or philosophical exemption to attend a vaccine "education session" at their local health department (MDHHS).

Parents across Michigan have confidentially shared with Michigan for Vaccine Choice (MVC) how this Administrative Rule 325.176 (12) has raised various issues and concerns for them, a few of which we have detailed below. As a result, some members of MVC have opted to provide their own statement pursuant to the law.

About Daycare and School Waivers

Issues Parents & Guardians have with Administrative Rule 325.176 (12)

Directly conflicts with Statute §333.9215

Feeling bullied and discriminated against

Parents who have attended these sessions have told MVC that they had their religious beliefs questioned and felt harassed and discriminated against.

Under an undue burden

A separate "education session" is needed at multiple school checkpoints and for each child in the household—up to 6 separate sessions per child (e.g., each year of daycare birth to 4 years, pre-k or kindergarten, and then again in 7th grade).

So, for twins, it'd be 12 separate sessions. For 3 children, it'd be 18 separate sessions, and so on. This is an extreme burden regardless of means, access to transportation and more.