School vaccinations: A MUST!

I’m a high school senior, and about a week ago, my school held a vaccination clinic. I didn't get vaccinated. At first, I just told them no, but then I made up an excuse about having a fever, and they bought it, so I managed to dodge it for the moment.

Now, I’ve received a notice stating that I have to go to a nearby city to get vaccinated, otherwise, I'll face a fine from $333. Honestly, what kind of nonsense is this? How can anyone be forced to take a vaccine when we don't even know what's in it—especially with all the swine flu concerns lately? I refuse to get vaccinated on principle. Once things settle down like they did with the bird flu, maybe I'll consider it.

Now I’m stuck. It looks like this is actually mandated by law, so I’m wondering if there is any way to avoid this vaccination entirely? Is there a way to bypass it without facing a fine or, heaven forbid, jail time? Since I'm an adult now, I need to know my standing. Can someone offer some advice or perhaps provide an excerpt of the specific law if it exists? Because it seems pretty clear that it does.

Thanks,

edit: I did some digging online and found out that this vaccination is regulated by a specific statute. Apparently, the penalties could include $667, and they can even initiate misdemeanor proceedings or report me to public health or social services. So, the question remains: how can I avoid the shot without paying a fine? And if I do pay the fine, is that the end of it, or will more trouble follow?

You’re supposed to get vaccinated against diphtheria and tetanus, though I honestly fail to see how that has anything to do with the flu 🤷

While those vaccinations are technically mandatory under the law, I haven't heard of anyone actually being fined for skipping them. There's also the matter of legal rights regarding refusing medical interventions, so you might find some leverage there.

That said, if I were in your shoes, I’d suggest looking into the specific vaccine and the diseases it targets before making a move. Being unprotected against tetanus is a particularly messy situation to deal with.

Wait, what kind of vaccination was that exactly? I know high school seniors usually get their shots for things like diphtheria and tetanus... Anyway, there aren't any penalties involved since I didn't get vaccinated back in my senior year of high school (I was actually sick at the time)... and I still haven't gotten them since then, even though I graduated last year... so there's no legal trouble or anything. Honestly, I regret not doing it now, but it really wasn't a case of me just refusing to go.

I understand where everyone is coming from, but I have my principles, and I stick to them. I know people who skipped their tetanus shots, only to end up cutting themselves on some rusty metal or something similar. When they showed up at the ER, the doctors asked if they were up to date on their vaccinations; they honestly couldn't say, so they just got the shot right then and there. Everything turned out fine. That’s why I’d rather just be cautious for the next few months until this whole situation blows over, and then I'll look into getting vaccinated.

What’s the actual issue here? Are you scared of a little needle? Just grit your teeth and get it over with. Trust me, nobody is looking for a run-in with tetanus or diphtheria...

It isn't the needle itself that bothers me... I've dealt with plenty of shots before without any issues. My point was simply about the principle; I don't see why there needs to be such an abrupt, unexpected approach to administering them.

I asked a question, yet I haven't received an answer. I never claimed we should avoid vaccinations entirely across the board. Rather, I am trying to understand how I might manage to bypass this specific round of shots over the next few months.

Just say you've come down with the flu 😁

Man, that’s a tough one. 😁

John Barnes

I honestly don't see what the issue is with getting vaccinated in your situation. I mean, I got my tetanus shot back when I graduated high school, which was way back in 1996. So, it’s really not some brand-new thing; there shouldn't be anything to worry about. Fast forward five years to 2001, and I actually had to get another one because I fell off a roller coaster onto some nasty asphalt—partially hitting dirt, too—and ended up with these two huge gashes on my leg. That whole accident happened while I was vacationing down in Savannah, and I went to a local community health center. They just told me to spray the wound with some antibiotic spray and stay out of the ocean for a few days. They didn't even mention a vaccine. It wasn't until I got back home to Washington, D.C., a few days later, that they insisted I get the tetanus shot I should have received right then and there. But yeah, the folks at the clinic in Savannah didn't bring it up at all.

If I can offer some advice, please don't avoid the shot. It can only help you. You might get hurt somewhere, and you may not be able to get a vaccine immediately—especially if you're in a smaller town or a tiny community health center that just doesn't stock it. I guess... if it's been more than five years since your last tetanus shot and you have an accident or an open wound, you'll definitely need a booster. But even then, it's much better to already be up to date.

Getting a tetanus shot isn't some abstract philosophical debate; it’s a luxury afforded by living in a developed society.
Take a look at this video showing kids in Asia who don't have access to basic vaccinations, and then you can go ahead and reconsider your little "principle."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ma7D_q-eia0&NR=1

John Barnes said:I’m a high school senior, and about a week ago, my school held a vaccination clinic. I didn't get vaccinated. At first, I just told them no, but then I made up an excuse about having a fever, and they bought it, so I managed to dodge it for the moment.

Now, I’ve received a notice stating that I have to go to a nearby city to get vaccinated, otherwise, I'll face a fine from $333. Honestly, what kind of nonsense is this? How can anyone be forced to take a vaccine when we don't even know what's in it—especially with all the swine flu concerns lately? I refuse to get vaccinated on principle. Once things settle down like they did with the bird flu, maybe I'll consider it.

Now I’m stuck. It looks like this is actually mandated by law, so I’m wondering if there is any way to avoid this vaccination entirely? Is there a way to bypass it without facing a fine or, heaven forbid, jail time? Since I'm an adult now, I need to know my standing. Can someone offer some advice or perhaps provide an excerpt of the specific law if it exists? Because it seems pretty clear that it does.

Thanks,

edit: I did some digging online and found out that this vaccination is regulated by a specific statute. Apparently, the penalties could include $667, and they can even initiate misdemeanor proceedings or report me to public health or social services. So, the question remains: how can I avoid the shot without paying a fine? And if I do pay the fine, is that the end of it, or will more trouble follow?

Nobody can force you. Any adult has the right to turn down any medical procedure, including vaccinations. The only thing you might have to deal with is a fine.

Instead of just Googling legal stuff, maybe it’d be smarter to look up what diphtheria and tetanus actually do to you. There's this whole trend going around lately where people skip vaccinations. Like, suddenly it's "cool" to stay unvaccinated because we all have our own little "principles," right? But let's face it—a trend is still a trend, whether it's smart or not.

Noah Myers8 said:Nobody can force you. Any adult has the right to turn down any medical procedure, including vaccinations. The only thing you might have to deal with is a fine.

And who knows? I could end up catching diphtheria or tetanus on top of everything else.

I’d honestly love to know what he actually means by that "principle" of his. Is he claiming he’s followed all those scientific debates and deep discussions so closely that he just decided he doesn't need them anymore? And when he mentions he's trying to avoid catching the flu this season, you can just tell exactly what kind of movies he's watching. 😁

Honestly, this whole idea about refusing a vaccine just out of "principle" feels a bit silly to me. I mean, what kind of principles can you really hold onto at eighteen? Come on, let's be real here. Besides, if something has been standard medical practice for years, I don't care how many scientists try to tell me otherwise—I’m going to trust the results. You've already had your shots for things like diphtheria and tetanus, right? And look, you're still standing, healthy and fine, without any issues from those vaccines. If everyone else can get vaccinated and stay protected, why shouldn't you be able to do the same?

swiftpanther52 said:Honestly, this whole idea about refusing a vaccine just out of "principle" feels a bit silly to me. I mean, what kind of principles can you really hold onto at eighteen? Come on, let's be real here. Besides, if something has been standard medical practice for years, I don't care how many scientists try to tell me otherwise—I’m going to trust the results. You've already had your shots for things like diphtheria and tetanus, right? And look, you're still standing, healthy and fine, without any issues from those vaccines. If everyone else can get vaccinated and stay protected, why shouldn't you be able to do the same?

And what happens when it turns out this whole thing is just one massive, coordinated conspiracy run by some shadow government... boo! Hooo!😈

Noah Myers8 said:Nobody can force you. Any adult has the right to turn down any medical procedure, including vaccinations. The only thing you might have to deal with is a fine.

I totally respect where you're coming from,
but since we're all the ones footing the bill for our shaky healthcare system, I feel like people standing on principle should probably pay for those consequences out of their own pockets!

Well, I think I’ll step in here and provide an answer for this young man who is just looking for some clarity!
Of course you can choose to skip the vaccination! It’s essentially the same as deciding to ignore any other federal law. You simply opt out of getting vaccinated and then brace yourself for the legal consequences that follow, though naturally, that doesn't exempt you from future regulations.
In other words, if you continue to refuse the shot and someone decides to report you, you're going to face a penalty—and the penalties tend to get much steeper over time.
I would truly love to see you stick to your principles all the way until you find yourself behind bars!
After all, history is full of former convicts who managed to rise through the ranks quite spectacularly. Who knows, maybe one day those very same principles will land you in the White House!

I honestly can't tell if I’m just losing my mind here or if the laws actually changed? Back in late 2007 or early 2008, I was supposed to get vaccinated—it was the DI-TE shot—but I ended up coming down with strep throat. Because my strep levels were so high (my AST levels were actually through the roof), they told me I couldn't take the vaccine at that time. Then, around October 2008, a doctor from my school called me to say I either needed to get vaccinated while I was in college or I wouldn't be able to participate... but then my strep came back again, so once more, I couldn't get the shot. Long story short, nobody is reaching out to me anymore, and I haven't received any kind of notice or notification about it lately..🤷

Since it looks like everyone here is totally against "principles"... let me jump in as the counterpoint. 😉

Dylan, look—I think it’s just plain stupid not to get a tetanus shot. That vaccine has been around for a freaking eternity, and generations of people have basically proven it's "safe."

When I first read your post, I thought you were saying you didn't want to get this *new* vaccine. If that's the case, I am 100% behind you!!! But man, you gotta realize there is a massive difference between vaccines that have proven their "safety" over decades and these brand-new ones hitting the market. Your principle makes sense, though I'd personally prefer if you didn't use that word, since apparently "only idiots stick to principles."

Seriously ladies, you should've explained the difference between types of vaccines to the kid. And if he wants to hold onto a principle, we should be helping him figure out what that applies to, rather than being a bunch of nasty hens (no offense intended) typing stuff to an 18-year-old like, "hope you enjoy life in prison." Just paraphrasing here.

Zoe—shame on you. If anyone ever said something like that to my brother or my siblings while they were caught up in some teenage phase... they would have had a really bad time. Maybe go read a book on pedagogy; I seriously hope your job doesn't involve working with kids.

Anyway, back to the point: I got all my shots, except for the one for tuberculosis. Why? Because back in 2002, in my hometown, there were several cases of poisoning because the vaccine was handled totally wrong. Everyone in my age group who took it spent the next two years dealing with scars and pain. On the day the shots were given, I wasn't even at school, and then those "problematic, isolated cases" started popping up, so I just refused to get it. In the end, it turned out three kids hadn't gotten vaccinated—the doctor's son, the lawyer's son, and a local businessman's daughter 😁. Yeah, maybe that was a risky call, but for me, the risk of taking a botched vaccine was way higher.

I HAVE NOTHING AGAINST VACCINES THAT ARE PROVEN and used properly, but I honestly think only fools rush out to get every single new thing that hits the market. Just look at history... how many "miracle cures" ended up being things where women couldn't have kids, or kids had developmental issues...

Dylan, props to you for having a "principle," but please, get your tetanus shot (God forbid you fall off your bike onto a rusty nail and end up needing a leg amputation due to gangrene—something you could've avoided). Save the stubbornness for the stuff that promises the moon and delivers nothing.