Adverse Effects of Pertussis and Rubella Vaccines. Institute of Medicine: National Academies Press, 1991.

Adverse Events Associated with Childhood Vaccines: Evidence Bearing on Causality. Institute of Medicine: National Academy Press, 1994.

Evidence of Harm: Mercury Vaccines and the Autism Epidemic. David Kirby: St. Martin’s Griffin, 2006.

How to Raise a Healthy Child...In Spite of Your Doctor. Robert S. Mendelsohn, MD: Ballantine Books, 1987.

Immunization: The Reality Behind the Myth. Walene James: Bergin & Garvey, revised & updated, 1995.

The Immunization Resource Guide. Diane Rozario: Patter Publications, updated periodically.

Multiple Immunizations and Immune Dysfunction. Institute of Medicine: National Academies Press, 2002.

The Parent’s Concise Guide to Childhood Vaccinations. Lauren Feder, MD: Hatherleigh Press, 2007.

Vaccination: A Thoughtful Parent’s Guide. Aviva Jill Romm: Healing Arts Press, 2001.

Vaccination: The Issue of Our Times. Peggy O’Mara: Mothering Magagzine, 1997.

The Vaccine Book. Robert Sears, MD: Little, Brown & Co., 2007.

The Vaccine Guide: Risks and Benefits for Children and Adults. Randall Neustaedter, OMD: North Atlantic Books: revised 2002.

Vaccines: Are They Really Safe and Effective? Neil Miller: New Atlantean Press, revised & updated, 2002.

What Every Parent Should Know About Childhood Immunization. Jamie Murphy: Earth Healing Products, 1993.

When Your Doctor is Wrong: Hepatitis B Vaccine and Autism. Judy Converse, MPH: Xlibris Corp., 2002.

What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Children’s Vaccinations. Stephanie Cave, MD: Grand Central Publishing, 2001.

There are currently two pneumococcal vaccines in use in Massachusetts. Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine 7-Valent (PCV7) is being recommended (though not required) by the DPH for all children from 2-23 months of age and older children in certain high risk groups. Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine 23-Valent (PPV23) is being recommended for all people 65 and over and others in high risk groups.

For further information on the pneumococcal vaccine being recommended for children (PCV7), visit the National Vaccine Information Center’s pneumococcal webpage.

Must my newborn receive the hepatitis B vaccine in order to be released from the hospital?
No, absolutely not. But if hospital officials contend otherwise, request to see the state law that requires it (there is none).

What exemptions are available in Massachusetts?
Medical and religious exemptions are honored in the Commonwealth. Medical exemptions are granted by doctors on a vaccine-by-vaccine basis and reviewed annually. The religious exemption is extended to members of any tradition, even to those not following the orthodox teachings of their tradition. While some states offer philosophical exemption (Maine and Vermont being the two closest), Massachusetts does not.

Is there a standard form that I need to sign for the religious exemption?
No, not in Massachusetts. Parents need to write and send their own letters, including the language, “I am exempting my child from vaccination because it conflicts with my sincerely held religious beliefs.” We recommend that you incorporate into your letter the full text of the state law that established the religious exemption (refer to our ‘Laws & Rights’ section for the text associated with your child’s level of schooling).

Do I need the signature of a clergy member when claiming a religious exemption?
No.  While some school districts suggest that you do, your letter and signature are sufficient.

Do I need my letter notarized? No, your signature is sufficient.

What can I do if a school official tells me something I don’t think is accurate?
When in doubt, ask them for the law that supports the request they’re making.

Now that I’ve started vaccination, am I required to continue?
You are always free to reevaluate, reconsider and, if you choose, discontinue, at least until a later date when you’ve had your questions answered adequately. In the meantime, however, such a decision may effect your child’s eligibility to attend daycare or school.

What if we had some vaccines given to our child already but now want to claim a religious exemption?
We humans are graced with the capacity to change our beliefs over time. So as long as you can in good conscience sign your name to the statement, “I am exempting my child from vaccination because it conflicts with my sincerely held religious beliefs,” there is no reason why you can’t claim a religious exemption, now or in the future.

My doctor said that she won’t treat my baby unless he’s fully vaccinated. 1) Can she refuse to treat my child?  2) Am I legally required to have my child vaccinated?
Firstly, yes, we have heard of a number of doctors refusing to accept or keep children as patients because of the parents’ vaccination decisions (though we don’t know if such a refusal has ever been challenged in court). 
Secondly, vaccines are not required for babies, though some are currently recommended by the Department of Public Health. They become requirements only when children enter daycare or school, at which point medical and religious exemptions are honored if appropriate.
Beyond that, if your doctor refuses to treat your child, it might be time to find a new doctor (refer to the previous Q&A).

I think my child has had a reaction to a vaccine, but my doctor said it was nothing. What can I do?
Your doctor is required by law to report all adverse events that occur within 30 days after vaccination to federal health authorities. If your doctor refuses, or if you want to add your own report, you have the right to do so. Click here for further information on reporting adverse reactions. And to find a doctor who may be more open to your concerns and the whole health of your child, visit our MDs & Others page.

Not currently required for school admission in the Commonwealth, public health officials nevertheless recommend the influenza vaccine for a number of populations (including all children 6-23 months of age), primarily for the reduction of lost school or work time it might effect.

For further information, visit the National Vaccine Information Center’s influenza webpage.

Acting on this concern, almost every vaccine used for children is now produced in a thimerosal-free form. In fact, according to the medical director of the immunization program at the state Department of Public Health, all state-made vaccines are thimerosal-free. However, because other manufacturers may continue to use trace amounts of thimerosal, you would do well to ask your doctor for the thimerosal-free versions. For the sake of surity, you might also request to see the package insert and the vial that contains the vaccine. 

Click here to view the Institute for Vaccine Safety’s webpage listing the thimerosal content in some U.S. licensed vaccines.

To calculate how much mercury your child has cumulatively received via vaccination, visit the National Vaccine Information Center’s mercury calculator.

Thimerosal in the News
Deadly Immunity: Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. investigates the government cover-up of a mercury/autism scandal
Rolling Stone; June 30, 2005

That being said, here, as a point of departure for those interested, is the recommended vaccine schedule established by the state DPH.

As directors of an organization whose mission it is to support the right to choose surrounding issues of vaccination, we are bound to accept the existence of this vaccine as long as it is not universally mandated, which it is currently not.

As parents, however, we can’t help but feel that this is a triumph of marketing over healthcare. Not only would five antigens in one vaccine logically place additonal stress on a child’s developing immune system, but should the child actually experience an adverse reaction, it would make it virtually impossible to target any one antigen as responsible. We personally feel that, rather than progress, this is a major step backward in the effort to secure true health for our children, our communities and future generations.