Leah Durant | Vaccine Attorney - Vaccine Blog

Should parents have the right to exempt their children from vaccinations for non-medical reasons?

There is an on-going global battle. And while it has been going on relatively low-key for many years in America, a few cases of measles in Disneyland in 2014 thrust the vaccine debate into the public limelight and resulted in legislation banning personal vaccine exemptions in California. Fortunately, philosophical vaccine exemptions are still available in most states—at least for now.

On one side of the battle, there are the people who support strict, unwavering adherence to the standard recommended schedule of childhood vaccinations. In the other camp, there are those who do not.

What new requirements may be imposed on families opposed to vaccination when children enter school or day care?

Parents who choose not to vaccinate the children for religious reasons often encounter resistance from schools and day care facilities. Now the State of Illinois has proposed new rules that would add obstacles for parents seeking to exercise their religious right to refuse vaccinations.

A "Certificate of Religious Exemption" Could Become Mandatory

The Illinois Department of Public Health has proposed that parents be required to obtain a “certificate of religious exemption” if they wish to avoid inoculations. The document would certify that a health care provider examined the child and reviewed with the parent all the benefits of getting vaccinated and the health risks to the both the student and community of refusing a vaccine for a communicable disease.

Parents would need to obtain the certificate for students when they enter kindergarten, sixth grade, and ninth grade, as well as when they are enrolling in a new school or child care program.

Thousands of individuals in the United States experience vaccine injuries every year. Unfortunately, many of these individuals are unaware of their right to seek financial compensation. In this article, we examine some of the statistics on vaccine injuries and provide real-life examples of what can happen when a vaccine causes someone harm.

If you have experienced a vaccine injury, you could be entitled to compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP). In this article, vaccine attorney Leah Durant answers seven frequently-asked questions about how and when to hire a vaccine attorney.

Kansas Court Upholds Denial of Unemployment Benefits to Vaccine Objector

Is an employee who was dismissed for refusing a flu vaccine entitled to unemployment insurance payments?

In many workplaces, especially hospitals, workers may be required to receive a vaccine against influenza or the flu as a condition of continued employment. There may be limited exceptions for religious or medical reasons, and some workplaces allow conscientious objectors to wear a mask as an alternative under so-called "vaccine-or-mask" policies. Many, however, insist on a vaccine.

Employers Sometimes Reject An Employee's Stated Medical Reasons

When a hospital employee in Kansas gave her employer a brief note from her doctor asking to "defer" her flu shot, the hospital did not accept it as a valid medical excuse. The employee then sent a more detailed explanation, saying that an aunt of hers had passed away two weeks after being vaccinated for the flu and that, after immunizations, her grandson had suffered seizures and permanent brain damage.

There are currently only two forms of treatment for Guillain Barre Syndrome (GBS). However, researchers in Glasgow are in the process of seeking FDA approval for a third treatment option, which may be effective in fighting GBS.

If you or a loved one has suffered a vaccine-related injury, you may be entitled to compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP). In this article, we provide an overview of what to expect when filing a claim for vaccine compensation.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) currently recommends that children receive ten different vaccinations from birth through the age of six. While vaccinations are necessary to prevent the risk of serious diseases, there are risks are associated with certain vaccinations, and their administration.

We have talked about the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine a lot on this

Should parents have to report to the state if their children remain unvaccinated?

There is a recent trend to leave children unvaccinated. Fear of potentially permanent negative side effects of vaccines, such as cognitive and physical disabilities, have led many parents to opt out of the inoculations their states require for children to attend school. Colorado has some of the lowest vaccine rates in the country. This is because parents are allowed to opt out for almost any reason. But who is keeping track of the children that remain unvaccinated? 

It is currently the law that individual schools report the vaccine status of their students to the state.

Under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP), individuals who suffer vaccine-related injuries can receive compensation for their medical bills and other losses.  Learn more about the VICP, including how to hire an attorney to file your VICP claim at no financial cost to you.