Frequently Asked Questions

New Hampshire Vaccinations

   1. What is the mission of the New Hampshire Coalition for Vaccination Choice (NHCVC)?

The primary objective of the New Hampshire Coalition for Vaccination Choice (NHCVC) is to create, support, and pass a bill allowing for a Conscientious Belief Exemption to Mandatory Vaccination in NH into law. When passed, New Hampshire would become one of 21 states to allow vaccination choice by providing parents with the right to a conscientious belief or philosophical vaccination exemption.  NHCVC believes that without a Conscientious Belief Exemption, the current NH vaccine mandates are unconstitutional (see #12 below). We fully supports parents’ rights to informed consent regarding vaccination.  

2. Are vaccines required for children to attend school and daycare in New Hampshire?

New Hampshire has mandatory vaccination regulations; however, a child can attend public or most private schools with select or no vaccines if the parent/guardian provides a valid medical or religious exemption certificate to the school administrator. Private and religiously affiliated schools may or may not accept religious vaccine exemptions, however.  NH does not currently allow parents to use a conscientious/philosophical vaccine exemption, which would change when HB 1555 is passed into law.

    3. Which vaccines are mandated in New Hampshire for school and daycare attendance?

You may visit the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services website for detailed information on vaccination mandates.  This information is contained under the Immunization Requirements School Year 2009/2010.

    4. Does my child qualify for a medical exemption?

A medical exemption letter must be written by a licensed physician in New Hampshire.  Medical exemptions would apply to individuals who are allergic to any components of the vaccines, those who have had severe reactions in the past and to those individuals with a family history of allergies.  Also, some immune-compromised individuals taking specific medications should not receive certain vaccines. Siblings’ adverse reactions do not automatically exempt a child although should be thoroughly considered prior to vaccination. Medical contraindications to vaccines are listed in the manufacturer's package insert and the Physician’s Desk Reference, yet guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics and/or Centers for Disease Control usually define the medical condition/status that is acceptable for a medical exemption. Click Here for further details. The exemption shall exist only for the length of time, in the opinion of the physician; such immunization would be detrimental to the child.  An exemption from immunization for one disease shall not affect other required immunizations.

However, be aware that in the event of an outbreak of a communicable disease for which immunization is required, children exempted shall not attend the school or childcare agency threatened by the communicable disease.

    5. Does my child qualify for a religious exemption and how do I claim this?

In order to qualify for a religious exemption, you must hold sincere religious beliefs that prohibit vaccination. A notarized copy of a Certificate of Religious Exemption is also required to legally exempt a child from mandated vaccines. A copy of the Certificate of Religious Exemption can be found here. You are not obligated to disclose your religion to obtain a religious exemption. It is suggested that you have multiple copies notarized (doctors offices, school, sports, summer camp, etc.).

However, be aware that in the event of an outbreak of a communicable disease for which immunization is required, children exempted shall not attend the school or childcare agency threatened by the communicable disease.

    6. I am opposed to vaccinations for reasons other than religion. What kind of exemption can I file so my child can attend school?

Currently the state of New Hampshire will only accept one of two vaccine exemptions:  medical or religious.  If your child has a medical condition which warrants a medical exemption, you can request a letter from your licensed physician. Religious exemptions are available to those who believe that vaccinations conflict with their religious beliefs/tenets. If you do not provide a medical or religious exemption, or vaccinate your child with the state-mandated vaccines, your school administrator will be required to expel your child from school. Once legislated, HB 1555 will allow parents to have the right to pick and choose, based on their informed decisions and personal, conscientious beliefs, individual vaccines or no vaccines for their children to attend school.

    7. I am atheist or agnostic. What exemption is available to my family?

There is no provision in the current law for individuals who wish to be exempt from vaccination for reasons other than religious or medical. NH’s current exemptions are in violation of the New Hampshire’s Constitution -Bill of Rights Article 5 as the religious exemption discriminates against agnostics and atheists who do not have equal protection under the law to file exemptions. The conscientious exemption bill (HB 1555) will correct this violation.

    8. I cannot locate a thimerosal-free flu shot for my child. Any suggestions?

The NH Department of Health and Human Services has stated that it does not regulate or control the state’s vaccine supply with the exception of those vaccinations that are provided for those that are underinsured or via Medicare. However, this does not ensure that vaccinations obtained through these programs are thimerosal-free.  It is therefore a parent/guardian’s choice and responsibility to locate a thimerosal-free version of the flu shot, or other mandated vaccine for their child(ren). It is suggested that you call your doctor in advance to request one.

    9. Now that I’ve started to vaccinate my child(ren), am I required to continue?

You always have the right to consider what is best for your child(ren). If you choose to discontinue or delay vaccinating, however, your child is still expected to receive all state mandated vaccinations to enter school unless you claim a medical or a religious exemption.

    10. How do I know if my child has an egg allergy and may react to a vaccine?

Flu vaccines, as well as other vaccines, are grown on egg embryos and usually contain egg and other foreign proteins. If you are not certain if your child has an egg allergy and you would like to continue vaccinating, you should consult an allergy specialist who may provide a blood or skin prick test to determine if he/she may have a reaction. Laboratory-confirmed egg allergies are a contraindication to receiving egg-containing vaccines such as influenza and varicella.
The risk is anaphylaxis. The Contraindications to Vaccination listed by the CDC can be found here.
For a list of vaccine ingredients, click here: http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/pinkbook/downloads/appendices/B/excipient-table-2.pdf

    11. I believe my child has had a vaccine reaction, but my doctor says not to worry about it or that it is unrelated to the vaccines. What can I do?

If your child has had an adverse reaction to a vaccine, or combination of vaccines (you may review the manufacturers’ package inserts online or the Physician’s Desk Reference for more details), your doctor is required by law to report the adverse events to federal health authorities within 30 days of occurrence. If your doctor refuses (be sure to document this refusal in writing), you have the right to submit your own report. Even common, mild side effects should be reported to the federal vaccine tracking database.

Click here to access details on filing a report with VAERS, Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System: https://secure.vaers.org/VaersDataEntryintro.htm. Most reports take less than 15 minutes to complete and can be submitted online or printed and mailed. A copy of the form can be found here .

12. The Bill of Rights of the NH Constitution considers the Rights of Conscience to be unalienable -meaning they are incapable of being alienated, surrendered, or transferred- even with regard to the protection of others in the society.

 [Art.] 3. [Society, its Organization and Purposes.] When men enter into a state of society, they surrender up some of their  rights to that society, in order to ensure the protection of others; and, without such an equivalent, the surrender is void.

Art.] 4. [Rights of Conscience Unalienable.] Among the natural rights, some are, in their very nature unalienable, because no equivalent can be given or received for them. Of this kind are the Rights of Conscience.

June 2, 1784 (http://www.nh.gov/constitution/billofrights.html)

Article 3 of the NH constitution states that individuals must surrender some of their rights to that of society to ensure the protection of others. However, Article 3 also states that there are rights that without an equivalent, cannot be surrendered. Article 4 makes the ‘surrender up some of their natural rights’ mentioned in Article 3 contingent upon an equivalent being available.  If there is no equivalent, the right cannot be surrendered to the society. Article 4 clearly states that the one right that cannot ever be denied are the Rights of Conscience. Therefore your ability to act based on your Conscientious Beliefs is your constitutional right as a citizen of New Hampshire. The current medical and religious exemptions do not allow for you to exercise your Conscientious Belief in your vaccination decisions. This is in clear violation of the NH Constitution. The current religious exemption is not the equivalent of a conscientious belief exemption. According to article 84 of the NH constitution, each government servant (your representatives, senators, etc.) is required to take an oath of office. There are 3 versions of the oath of office and all version include 'to support' the NH Constitution. (http://www.nh.gov/constitution/oaths.html). Is YOUR representative keeping their oath?

Our Coalition encourages everyone to get involved and help to garner support for a Conscientious Belief Exemption.  Please join our e-mail list: VacChoiceNH@gmail.com, our Yahoo group or our facebook group for the most up to date info. We will contact you with updates and how to best support our efforts with calls and letters to your representatives. Rest assured, your info will not be shared with a third party. Also, please take a moment to let your voice be counted and sign our petition HERE!

Thank you for your support of the NH Coalition for Vaccination Choice. If you have additional questions, please feel free to send them to: VacChoiceNH@gmail.com.