Michigan law protects vaccine choice.
Michigan legislation provides exemptions to mandatory vaccinations for medical, religious, or other reasons.
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?"
Michigan State Law establishes that a parent can secure a vaccine exemption for their child from the requirements of mandatory vaccination by presenting an appropriate written statement to their child’s daycare or school.
Yet under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), a written statement provided directly to a school becomes part of the student’s school record. Unless narrow exceptions apply, a student’s record is not subject to routine disclosures—including the health department—without a parent’s express permission.
"What about the health department waiver?"
Michigan was the first state to mandate an "education session" at a local health department when they enacted Administrative Rule 325.176 (12) on January 1, 2015, requiring parents and legal guardians who want a religious or philosophical exemption to attend an “education session” and obtain a certified waiver.
Parents must provide private information about their child at the session, often against their consent, sign statements with which they might disagree, and answer questions with which they are not comfortable. As a result, some members of MVC have opted to provide their own statement pursuant to the law.
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 had their religious beliefs questioned and felt harassed and discriminated against.
Under an undue burden
A separate "education session" is required at multiple school checkpoints and for each child in the household—up to six sessions per child (e.g., one session per year of daycare, pre-k or kindergarten, and 7th grade).
So, for twins, under the Administrative Rule, a parent must attend 12 separate sessions. For 3 children, 18 sessions, and so on.
This is an extreme burden on parents and caregivers, regardless of their financial means, access to transportation, work schedule, and other factors.
Experience information bias
Vaccine risks or injuries are not discussed.
You might also be interested in:
