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My husband and I recently applied to an agency that asked us if we were planning to vaccinate according to the AMA recommended schedule. We answered honestly, stating that we plan to vaccinate following a delayed schedule, but that our child would be fully vaccinated by age 5. The agency then told us that they can't work with us unless we agreed to vaccinate according to an AMA or CDC approved vaccination schedule.
Does every agency require this or would it be possible to find one willing to work with us? We're just confused about where to go from here.
Is this to adopt or foster? If it's adoption, the child is yours so how can anyone dictate what you do? If it's foster, yes, they go by the schedule.
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Domestic infant. They can't really dictate what we do, I know that, but this particular agency asked, we answered honestly, and they won't work with us. I'm just trying to figure out if all agencies feel the same way about immunizations so that we can figure out if we need to switch from pursuing an agency adoption to pursuing a private adoption.
I had to vaccinate on schedule until finalization, since the agency was the legal guardian during that time. They never asked what I planned to do after that, though it was not a problem for me since I planned to go with the pediatrician's recommendation anyway.
Thanks for the responses. I'm thinking that if we continue to pursue an agency adoption, we will just have to ask what their stance is. We'll also need to ask our home study agency. I hadn't even thought about wanting to follow a delayed schedule being an issue.
I have been wondering about this as well, except we are a completely non-vaccinating family. I know there are agencies out there that 'allow' for this, I'm just hopeful most of them accept it.
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Well, personally I think it's good for them to insist on that, unless there's a medical reason to delay or avoid vaccinating. It's not only putting the child you adopt at risk, but also any unvaccinated kids they come in contact with. There has been a resurgence of measles in some areas due to people's concerns with vaccination, and some children have died as a result. I think it's very irresponsible to modify the vaccine schedule if you don't have a degree in immunology.
I was part of a conversation last week regarding this same conversation (not the vaccinate or not to vaccinate) but the delayed schedule and adoption. A woman who was doing most of the talking was explaining how it NEVER came up with adoption #1 but now they are in process with #2 and the medical forms show that their DD (adoption #1) is not current on vaccinations (based on schedule) and she can not find a home study agency to work with. She said the agency she used to adopt DD was NOT happy with her but obviously couldn't do anything about it but absolutely refused to work with them for child #2. NannyLady - have you made any progress with an agency???
Ettina
Well, personally I think it's good for them to insist on that, unless there's a medical reason to delay or avoid vaccinating. It's not only putting the child you adopt at risk, but also any unvaccinated kids they come in contact with. There has been a resurgence of measles in some areas due to people's concerns with vaccination, and some children have died as a result. I think it's very irresponsible to modify the vaccine schedule if you don't have a degree in immunology.
Parents should have the right to make those choices for their own family on a case by case, vaccine by vaccine, basis. Personally, we plan to vaccinate our children, but there are certain vaccines that we aren't in favor of, either because of aborted fetal cells used in the production of the vaccine (such as Rubella and Chicken Pox) or other reasons (such as the HPV vaccine). We are also a bit skeptical about newer options, until all potential effects have borne out, especially with how short some clinical trials have become.
I haven't actively been looking for a new agency. We aren't starting up the adoption process again for a couple more months, so I've been taking a break.
My philosophy is pretty much identical to MilanManilaMoscow. Every parent should have the right to research and choose.
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Until an adoption is finalized the baby is legally under the protection/custody of the state - whether through the adoption agency licensed by the state holds custody and the adopting parents are given temporary custody or not - the state is liable.
Kind regards,
Dickons