What is the medical exemption in PA?

Asked by: Jackie Deckow DDS  |  Last update: June 14, 2025
Score: 4.9/5 (7 votes)

Medical Exemption. Children need not be immunized if a physician or the physician's designee provides a written statement that immunization may be detrimental to the health of the child.

How to legally decline a vaccine in PA?

The Pennsylvania Code § 23.84.

Children need not be immunized if the parent, guardian or emancipated child objects in writing to the immunization on religious grounds or on the basis of a strong moral or ethical conviction similar to a religious belief.

Can a child attend school without vaccines in PA?

Regulations issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Health in 2017 require all students to complete the full series of immunizations, or they may not be admitted to school.

What are medical exemptions for vaccines?

Parents can ask for a medical exemption if a vaccine wouldn't be safe for their child. Reasons that children can get an exemption include: They have a disease or take medicine that weakens their immune system. They have a severe allergy to a vaccine or an ingredient in it.

What is Pennsylvania code 23.84 exemption from immunization?

PA 28§ 23.84. Exemption for immunization. that immunization may be detrimental to the health of the child. When the physician determines that immunization is no longer detrimental to the health of the child, the child shall be immunized according to this subchapter.

Pennsylvania Window Tint Medical Exemption 2024

20 related questions found

How to get a medical exemption for vaccines in PA?

Medical Exemption.

Children need not be immunized if a physician or the physician's designee provides a written statement that immunization may be detrimental to the health of the child.

What are religious reasons for not being vaccinated?

Objection to vaccination was also related to: faith in divine protection and healing for Protestants, Catholics, Jewish and Muslims (10); the use of aborted fetal cells for vaccines' production among Amish and Catholic communities (including during the COVID-19 outbreak when Senior Catholic leaders from the US and ...

What does it mean to be medically exempt?

A medical exemption means that a person with a health problem does not have to do what other people have to do.

What is the main reason parents decide not to vaccinate?

The three most common parental reasons for non-vaccination of children with the 2023–24 COVID-19 vaccine were concern about side effects or safety of the vaccine, belief that COVID-19 is not a serious disease for their child, and not believing the vaccines work well.

What states don't allow medical exemptions for vaccines?

All states allow exemptions for medical reasons, and almost all states (except California, Mississippi and West Virginia) grant religious or philosophical exemptions for people who have sincerely held beliefs that prohibit immunizations.

Are childhood vaccines mandatory?

In the U.S., all states have vaccine-related laws that pertain to children before they go to school. Some states require certain vaccines. Other states allow county public health boards to decide which vaccines are required.

What is the grace period for vaccines?

Known as the “grace period”, vaccine doses administered ≤4 days before the minimum interval or age are considered valid; however, local or state mandates might supersede this 4-day guideline7.

Is meningitis vaccine mandatory in Pennsylvania?

Immunization requirements for 7th grade students in Pennsylvania: In addition to all other required grade school immunizations: One dose of tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis (Tdap) on the first day of seventh grade. One dose of meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV) on the first day of seventh grade.

What happens if I don't vaccinate my child?

Children who are not up to date on their vaccines can get very sick or die from diseases like the flu and chickenpox. source: 8,source: From 2010 through 2023, between 6,000 and 25,000 children under age 5 years in the United States got sick enough from the flu each year that they needed hospital care.

Can a pediatrician force you to vaccinate your child?

In 2016, the AAP changed its policy, stating that “a pediatrician may consider dismissal of families who refuse vaccination as an acceptable option” while acknowledging that the decision to dismiss should not be made without contemplating and respecting the beliefs of the family in question.

What are valid reasons to decline the flu vaccine?

6 reasons patients avoid flu vaccination
  • I'm healthy, so I don't need a flu vaccine. ...
  • The flu vaccine isn't safe and can give me the flu. ...
  • It is better to get sick with the flu. ...
  • I'll wait until flu hits my area. ...
  • I hate getting injections. ...
  • I was vaccinated last year.

How to get religious exemption for vaccines?

California removed its personal and religious exemption option in 2015. Parent/guradian must complete an online educational module to receive a non-medical exemption. Connecticut removed its religious exemption option in 2021.

Who if you choose not to vaccinate your child?

With the decision to delay or reject vaccines comes an important responsibility that could save your child's life, or the life of someone else. you must tell the medical staff that your child has not received all the vaccines recommended for his or her age.

Why don't people want to get vaccinated?

Some of the reasons people may be hesitant to get the vaccine may include concerns about: the fast development, long- and short-term safety, side effects, misinformation, not understanding the science, distrust of government and health care entities or other issues.

How to get a religious exemption for vaccines in PA?

(b) Religious exemption. Children need not be immunized if the parent, guardian or emancipated child objects in writing to the immunization on religious grounds or on the basis of a strong moral or ethical conviction similar to a religious belief.

Can I get a medical exemption certificate for underactive thyroid?

An underactive thyroid is a lifelong condition, so you'll usually need to take levothyroxine for the rest of your life. If you're prescribed levothyroxine because you have an underactive thyroid, you're entitled to a medical exemption certificate. This means you do not have to pay for your prescriptions.

Why do people not vaccinate their children?

These reasons vary widely between parents, but they can be encompassed in 4 overarching categories. The 4 categories are religious reasons, personal beliefs or philosophical reasons, safety concerns, and a desire for more information from healthcare providers.

What states do not allow religious exemptions for vaccines?

Currently, only six states in the country do not allow religious exemptions:
  • California.
  • Maine.
  • Mississippi.
  • New York.
  • West Virginia.
  • Connecticut.

How to write a religious accommodation letter?

I am enrolled in your course [course number]. I identify as an observing [religious affiliation], and I am writing to request that you make accommodation for my religious observance this semester in accordance with the college's attendance policy. On [enter date or dates] we will be observing [name of holiday].

What are the reasons to not get vaccines?

Overall, adults aged ≥18 years who did not get a 2023–24 flu vaccine most commonly reported the following reasons for not getting one: lack of concern about getting sick (36.8%), choosing not to get any vaccine (28.2%), belief that the vaccine can't prevent infection (19.2%), concern about serious/unknown side effects ...