Editor’s note: This family’s take on SB-277, California’s law barring kids from school (public, private, and daycare) is an opinion piece by a California mom. The writer prefers to remain anonymous to protect her family’s privacy and avoid negative reprisals.
Injecting Common Sense: This Family’s Take on California’s New Law Barring Kids From School
By Anonymous, Special to JenniferMargulis.net
New parenthood isn’t the kind of adventure that comes with a road map. So we follow our hearts, seek out good advice, and make the best decisions we can, the best way we know how.
Except if you’re an expectant parent in the state of California. Here, in my home state, some important parenting decisions are now being made for you.
Last spring, Governor Brown signed Senate Bill 277, a law barring kids from school by making childhood vaccine requirements mandatory for entry into daycare or school. Effective this July, children whose parents have chosen to delay or opt out of even one dose of the required vaccines are no longer eligible to enroll at any daycare, public, or private school, unless they have an IEP (Individualized Education Program) or a hard-to-obtain and almost-never-given medical exemption signed by a California physician.
This new law is relevant before you even leave the hospital with your newborn. Just a few hours after your baby is born, as you are recovering from the birth and learning how to breastfeed, you will be told that your newborn must have a hepatitis B vaccine.
Missing just the hepatitis B vaccine? No education for you, due to California’s new law barring kids from school
Hopefully your doctor will explain the risks and benefits, to assist you in making an informed decision. Hepatitis B is a virus that infects the liver, and is spread by sexual contact or intravenous needles. Your doctor should also tell you the potential side effects of the vaccine.
These include (but are not limited to):
- Soreness
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Fever
Finally, your doctor should tell you that the hepatitis B vaccine contains 250 mcg of aluminum, a known neurotoxin that is not safe to inject intramuscularly. Your doctor should also tell you that the vitamin K shot your baby has been given also contains aluminum, meaning that your newborn is getting what amounts to a massive dose of poison in the first few hours of life. Your doctor may or may not tell you this. Many doctors won’t, because they’ve never taken the time to read and research the ingredients in the vaccine, or in the vitamin K shot.
Unless your tiny son or daughter is having unprotected sex, sharing contaminated needles, living with a carrier, or in need of a blood transfusion and the blood is contaminated, there is essentially no risk of your baby contracting or transmitting hepatitis B.
Let’s say you consider this information, and make a conscientious and evidence-based decision to refuse this vaccine for your newborn. It’s now illegal for your child to attend any school or daycare in California.
This is troubling for a variety of reasons, the most apparent being that children aren’t capable of spreading a disease they don’t have.
(Interestingly enough, state law says children who are actually infected with hepatitis B can attend school, but children who have not been vaccinated cannot.)
As a new parent, I hope you’ll consult with a doctor you trust, do your research, weigh the risks and benefits, and make a decision you feel is right for your family. While you may deem some vaccines absolutely necessary, you may decide some are less so. Unfortunately for Californians, these decisions about your baby’s health care are now more confusing, amidst government coercion for conformity.
This new California law barring kids from school gives you three choices:
- Fully vaccinate your child according to state mandates, making no allowances for your family’s medical history, risk factors, genetics, or particular situation
- Homeschool
- Move out of state
Is that really much of a choice?
We declined the hepatitis B vaccine for each of our babies. We made a carefully considered, evidence-based decision. I am not hepatitis B positive, and neither is my husband. None of our family members or our children’s caregivers have hepatitis B. The scientific, rational, healthiest decision for our children was not to give them this vaccine.
And now our children are barred from going to school.
Fortunately, I’m a credentialed, veteran teacher, and we’re able to get by on one income while we homeschool this year. This is not the case for everyone. Dear friends of ours sold their successful business and settled in Colorado. Others have moved north to Oregon, a state which values medical freedom.
Many families are in the unimaginable position of being forced to vaccinate because relocation isn’t feasible, and they can’t afford to homeschool.
I find myself stunned that these times are really upon us.
Nobody ought to be coerced into accepting medical treatment, especially with risk involved
While we can’t speak for other parents, we know we have acted out of highest regard for the intelligent design of the human immune system. We value our body’s ability to do what it was designed to do. Vaccination is a complex and invasive medical treatment. It is clear that vaccines are effective in preventing some diseases, but the risks of side effects of giving so many vaccines to such young children have not been adequately studied and are not fully understood.
I don’t care what you think of our decision. I’m not trying to convince you for or against hepatitis B. But the point is that this decision is ours to make. Simply put, we have a right to medical freedom. Nobody ought to be coerced into accepting medical treatment, especially when there is risk involved.
A popular narrative in America today is that the science is settled: vaccines are highly effective and safe for everyone. Let’s consider the inception of the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program in 1986, after Congress passed the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act. The government began compensating victims of vaccine injury on behalf of vaccine manufacturers, after a flood of lawsuits nearly drove these companies out of business. Since that time, the U.S. Court of Federal Claims has awarded $3.1+ billion of tax dollars to people injured or killed by “safe” vaccines.
Can you think of another industry whose manufacturers cannot be held liable when their product harms a consumer?
Rather than proclaiming a clear, scientific consensus that vaccines are safe for all, we ought to be demanding better vaccines, and insisting that doctors implement a screening process to identify which children may be susceptible to adverse reactions. The pharmaceutical industry owes us ongoing, longitudinal research about vaccination as it exists today, and safeguards to protect our kids from vaccine injury.
The hard truth is that disease exists in the world. Vaccine side effects exist, too. Parents face difficult decisions about how to protect their children. It’s terrible when bad things happen to the people we love, despite our efforts to keep them safe. Children fall ill or die from preventable diseases, and other children lose their lives and families their livelihood due to vaccine injury.
I don’t have a solution for this dilemma, but I do believe that it’s incorrect for legislation to value one child’s life over another. I don’t think the answer is a law barring kids from school. How does school exclusion help? It doesn’t.
In an effort to achieve “total immunization” and build a “healthy California,” SB-277 mandates childhood vaccines, and removes those who are unvaccinated (or under-vaccinated) from schools. Will these same kids be unwelcome at the park, soccer practice, the swimming pool, restaurants, or their future workplace? Will they be asked to use separate drinking fountains, or wear a scarlet V?
It’s easy to hurl insults at parents like us, hiding behind the safety of a computer screen.
You wouldn’t believe the name-calling that happens on comment threads and message boards: people describe parents like us as “reckless,” “selfish,” and “retarded,” and label children like ours “baby-killers” and “diseased spawn.” I’m publishing this blog anonymously because I don’t want to be targeted in that way; I don’t want my loving family ripped to shreds by anonymous bullies.
Are YOU up to date on your vaccines?
If you grew up in America in the 1960s, you received perhaps 4 injections as part of the typical immunization schedule. In the 1980’s, maybe 8. This new law mandates 15 injections for children entering kindergarten. Fifteen! Questioning an immunization schedule that has quadrupled over just two generations is neither selfish nor reckless. It’s using common sense.
So what consequences can we expect for adults who are not fully vaccinated in accordance with this new standard? With regard to “herd” immunity and potential threats to public health—is society prepared to hold all individuals accountable for their vaccination status? Californians of any age, visitors from out-of-state, foreign travelers—all are capable of transmitting disease. If legislation required that everyone met these new requirements, I hope and imagine there would be some push back.
The greater issue we should be discussing is the enforcement of medical mandates—where will it stop? Imagine if the government compelled you to take antibiotics to fight off an infection, psychiatric medication to combat anxiety, or Ritalin to treat ADD, and then barred you from school or work if you refused?
I’m disturbed as a Californian—and as an American—to see our personal health care decisions influenced by the government in such a significant way.
Humans have a fundamental right to choose what they allow to enter their bodies. The diseases we face in modern times do not present imminent danger to greater society, especially when the vast majority chooses to vaccinate.
The California legislature has reached too far, in a futile attempt to achieve “total immunization.” Coercing parents to accept vaccines for their young children is wrong. Decisions about vaccinations—or any medical treatment—must be made privately between patient and doctor.
Whether you are far or near—educate yourself about Senate Bill 277, and the lawsuits filed to combat it. Form an opinion about laws related to medical freedom and your personal health care decisions. If you think this legislation doesn’t affect you now, it’s coming soon to a state near you.
You’ll wish you’d spoken up against the law barring kids from school when they tell you it’s time to line up for your shots.
sheila says
Well said and I agree. Our right to choose has been taken away. It is time for all of the people of America to wake up. This affects everyone. We must push back and not take this. We must stand together and stand strong. During my lifetime I was never told about any side effects or ingredients by any doctor. This information has been kept from the public but yet how many in the medical field do not or have not vaccinated their own children? The truth should be shared and the people should make their own decision to jab their child or not. This decision does not belong to the government as Pan would have it. No on SB 277!
Carol Regan says
I’m almost 72 & im appalled to how people will no fight this!! I really feel it’s the fluoride in our water! Hitler used it to numb up those millions of Jews to there death! That’s what’s happening to these parents! They just refuse to believe that this is happening in America! OMG people get your head out of the sand! Your kids will be the next to get damaged from vaccines! Go to you tube & listen to Bill Gates on vaccines. He said vaccines are for do population!! God please help us!! Before it’s to late!!!
jr says
277 got passed because of Big Pharma money and donations to Dr Pan were estimated at $95,000, give or take a few thousand. the others that voted for it were also paid but I forget the totals. At what point should it ever be legal for companies to pay your representatives to get legislation passed that benefits the business and has demonstrated potential harm to our children? Hopefully the ones that pushed this thru will be removed from office and this law can be reversed before many are harmed from its enforcement. the goal of the big pharma is for all states to follow CA. Additionally the members of the CDC need to be purged and the Dept repopulated with honest Drs that can’t be purchased. Its a sad day indeed for our children until this happens, and there is more to come, Us adults are next on the list.
Edward Tan says
Well written article that loses 90& of its effectiveness because the author was too cowardly to sign their name.
Gemima Edelstein says
So if she would have put Jane Smith you would have found it more credible? Or January Jones? Or would you prefer she published her full name, address and list of family members in her household? Your comment is ridiculous to say the least. This woman could have easily faked a name but didn’t. That would have degraded her credibility. Instead she chose to speak her mind through the blogger. Whether the blogger chose to do her due diligence and research or confirm that the woman is legit is the real issue. Do you trust this blogger to have done this?
Tiffany says
This is so maddening. No one should be forced to vaccinate their children. I would have to homeschool and I know nothing about that! You just want to scream. It’s all a sad time in our Country. No one higher up cares about our kid did our us. How do they sleep at night? They are evil.
Shelley says
The Chicken Pox, Mumps, Measles are not really diseases-they have just been marketed that way. They are one or two week” Normal right of passage illnesses” that produce permanent immunity and health in numerous ways. The child misses a week or 2 of school, eats ice cream then goes back to school Whereas Cancer-that is a disease, Lupus, and others… In this country we have not lost a child to things like Measles in over 10 years but we have lost over a hundred to the dangerous Measles-MMR shot. No vaccine ever stopped an illness in reality-too bad the news is bought.
Chella says
Where in the text of Bill 277 does it exempt children with an IEP? I’m curious because we have 3 autistic kiddos with IEPs and we are homeschooling because of the law (and a few other reasons) but I was never told the IEP had anything to do with the exemption.
Granny says
Bill Text – SB-277 Public health: vaccinations. http://ow.ly/ZbO8b
IEP Students are exempt from SB277 Mandates
SEC 2 (h) This section does not prohibit a pupil who qualifies for an individualized education program, pursuant to federal law and Section 56026 of the Education Code, from accessing any special education and related services required by his or her individualized education program.
SB277 Amendment (h) clarified at the Assembly Health Committee – http://ow.ly/ZhAqx
Kathy says
Not sure where this came from. Possibly “Our kids our choice” but I hope it helps answer your questions.
“Does anyone have the copy of the judge’s interpretation of SB277 regarding IEPs?
TIA
Answers…
If you are talking about the recent SB277 injunction case (Case 3:16-cv-01715-DMS-BGS), here’s the order denying plantiff’s motion for preliminary injunction
https://www.casd.uscourts.gov/Documents/ORDER%20Denying%20Plaintiff's%20Motion%20for%20Preliminary%20Injunction.pdf
I recall reading that a judge clarified the SB277 section regarding IEPs and that those students are exempt from required vaccinations to receive their outlined education program.
SB277 specifically outlines this
120335. (h) This section does not prohibit a pupil who qualifies for an individualized education program, pursuant to federal law and Section 56026 of the Education Code, from accessing any special education and related services required by his or her individualized education program.
https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201520160SB277
Lines 13-17 of page 3 of the injunction order I mentioned above clarifies the matter stating:
“SB 277 provides three exemptions to the vaccination requirements at issue: One for medical reasons, Cal. Health & Safety Code § 120370(a), one for children in a ‘home-based private school or … an independent study program[,]” Cal. Health & Safety Code § 120335(f), and one for students who qualify for an individualized education program, or IEP. Cal. Health & Safety Code § 120335(h).”
https://www.casd.uscourts.gov/Documents/ORDER%20Denying%20Plaintiff's%20Motion%20for%20Preliminary%20Injunction.pdf
https://www.facebook.com/EducateAdvocate/posts/10154602123108945:0
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Jock Doubleday says
Homeschooling solves all.
Suzanne says
This is my answer to the “dilemma”: children who eat nutrient-dense organic food, drink pure water, breathe pure air and play outside in the sunshine do not die or become seriously ill from childhood diseases. They recover from them even stronger than they were before. Sure, it’s much easier to go to the doctor and get a shot, but shots (like all pharmaceutical products) do not really make us healthier, they just mask the symptoms. Giving our kids true health by means of a healthy lifestyle requires daily dedication and effort and conscientious choices, but at least there are no risks or side effects (only good ones!)
Tim says
I moved myself, my family and my business out of California 2 months after this bill passed. After 14 years of research, reading hundreds of peer reviewed studies, watching hours upon hours of parental testimony and unquestionable verbal evidence I as left with no other option. If I were to vaccinate my children, knowing what I do it would be my fault should they be injured by a vaccine. I have too much empathy for my children.