Please note, this blog is 100% factual and is not based on personal opinion.  It is not meant to debate the use of vaccines (Ill save that one for another blog) but explain your rights as a parent per the Ohio Revised Code.  Here are my 3 beautiful daughters that have not been vaccinated.  I always get the same question from patients when they find out we didn’t vaccinate our children.  How are they accepted in school without the mandatory vaccines?  Now that summer is gone and school is here, you will likely be told that unless your child has been following an up to date vaccine schedule, they will not be allowed to enter school.  You will hear the words required and mandatory.  Words that you will not hear are exemptions or exceptions. Yes, the Ohio Revised Code states that there are mandatory vaccines that are required for your child to enter school ( K-12) but immediately following that rule are the exceptions!  Here is the ORC that lists exceptions. 

Ohio Revised Code 3313.671 Proof of required immunizations – exceptions    http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/3313.671      There are 4 exceptions to the mandatory vaccine rule. 

• Medical- a child whose physician certifies that an immunization is medically contraindicated is not required to be immunized against that disease. 
• Natural- a child who has had the disease naturally is not required to be immunized against that disease.
• Religious- A pupil who presents a written statement of the pupils parent or guardian in which parent or guardian declines to have the pupil immunized for religious convictions is not required to be immunized. 
• Reasons of conscience-  A pupil who presents a written statement of the pupils parent or guardian in which parent or guardian declines to have the pupil immunized for reasons of conscience is not required to be immunized. 

So, all that’s required is a statement from you, the parent saying due to reasons of conscience, you have chosen not to vaccinate your child.  It’s that simple, at least in Ohio.  My question is why don’t schools tell you there are exceptions to the mandatory rule?  Don’t you think that you, the parent, should know all of your rights and not be forced into giving your children vaccinations that are becoming more and more controversial?  I DO!  All schools are supposed to have an exception form for you to be able to fill out.  If they can’t provide one for you, just write your own brief statement of why you choose not to vaccinate and deliver it to the school.   That’s all it takes. 

Now, college is a different animal!  The above ORC is for K-12 only, not higher education.  Colleges both state and private can require them.  It’s important to note however, this is a college decision and not state.  Ohio law does not require vaccination of the student to enter college, only the disclosure of the student’s vaccination status.  When your child enters college you will have to read the student hand book.  Both of my college girls are able to attend without being vaccinated after reading the hand book.  One college gave religious conviction as an exception and the other personal belief. 

If you have any further questions on my experience with vaccination rules in Ohio please ask!  I hope this helps explain your rights as a parent in Ohio.  To vaccinate or not to vaccinate is a decision for you and only you to make.