I won’t address the 3rd site because it’s a biased source. How do the other two support your decision to avoid vaccines? It sounds like you didn’t really understand the point of the articles.
I wouldn’t count on getting a vaccine exemption. If you don’t have a valid medical reason (certified by a doctor) I think it’s going to be difficult. You can’t just go enroll at your local college either. If they require vaccinations they won’t process your registration until you submit proof of immunization.
Access to/attending college is not a right in the same way that access to/attending grades 1-12 is.
Vaccination exemptions are likely awarded to a student because he or she is not medically recommended to receive one or more vaccinations, not because the student doesn’t want to get vaccinated.
I would do very careful and thorough research before applying to avoid disappointment. Maybe online school is an option for you.
I’m in a state where I can still (I believe) get a vaccine exemption for religious or philosophical reasons. Which is probably what I’m going to do. Everyone quit getting on my case about this and stop being rude to me.
The private school you’re looking at can set its own requirements, so make sure you check their handbook to see what’s required. They don’t have to accept an exemption form.
I don’t think anyone is being rude to you. At college you’re going to have to deal with people whose views are very different than your own. You asked if colleges could refuse to let you enroll if your vaccinations aren’t complete. The answer is yes, even if your state allows exemptions for high school.
You asked a question. It was answered. You are most likely going to have a problem, even in a state that still allows exemptions for K-12. Colleges have their own set of rules.
This is a sensitive topic for many people, myself included. I have an immunocompromised family member. He’s very susceptible to infections and cannot take vaccines. The more people who chose to not vaccinate around him, the higher risk he faces. That’s the case for many many people in the US, including newborn babies. IMO, it’s an incredibly selfish and ignorant decision for healthy children and adults to not be vaccinated.
I’m thrilled that universities have strict standards to protect the health of their students. They have students from all over the world, living and studying in close proximity. It’s a recipe for outbreaks if students aren’t vaccinated. Tufts had a mumps outbreak last year. Mumps is no joke. It can cause infertility in men, deafness, meningitis, encephalitis. More than 100 students were afflicted at Tufts. They now require MMR vaccines (which they should have all along).
Your “choice” could mean death for someone else. Again, thrilled that universities are setting a higher bar to protect their campuses.
OP, did the measles epidemic that went througt the US (Washington State, NYC) this spring change your mind at all? Did you not read about how dangerous measles was, even to those who are healthy?
But you do it your way. Your OP says you are worried that you won’t be able to register for classes, and that’s a ligit worry because some schools will not allow you to register without certain vaccinations. Others won’t let you live in the dorms. You’re right, there are some that will and you can limit your options to those schools.
OP: I looked at some of those articles; they made me sad for those families. Everything in life has a risk to it. Everything.
Eg: I heard this interview on NPR recently; a dad was sitting with his toddler on a bench; a brick fell off a building randomly, and hit the toddler and killed her. It is tragic; but it will not stop me from sitting on benches by big buildings. It’s the same with driving; flying, taking a bus, a train, walking, riding a bike etc. There are small risks involved all day, every day.
But these risks really generally affect me. With vaccinations, the risks of not being vaccinated not only can hurt you, but other people too. I do think you’ll need to look far and wide to find colleges that will suit your needs with this.
(I’m not a medical person obviously, these are just my thoughts. And I have a documented, horrid reaction to a well known vaccine; but I’d do it again if needed.)
I just want to add a question that I’ve been thinking about. If all college students are theoretically vaccinated, then how do breakouts happen on campus? Technically there should be no breakouts of disease on a college campus if everyone is vaccinated.
Some vaccinations ‘wear off’ and are no longer strong enough to fight the breakouts. Some vaccines are just too new to know how long they last.
My kids were in the first group of chickenpox vaccinated kids. At the time (1996) the experts thought they’d last forever. Then when they were 5 they had to have a booster. Then another booster in their teen years. Who knows if they are now immune at age 20-25. And the vaccine wasn’t 100% effective, more like 85%, so 15% of college kids, even if fully vaccinated, can contract chickenpox. A family at our elementary school were all vaccinated and all 3 kids came down with severe cases of chickenpox, as did their cousins they were vacationing with.
Mumps seems to be one where the vaccinations don’t hold through college age. At Syracuse both the men’s and women’s lacrosse teams had to cancel their fall seasons because they had so many players down with mumps. It may have only been 15 players between the 2 teams, but they were afraid they’d spread it to other teams, other locker rooms. I’m sure these kids were vaccinated, had been to many camps and traveled with teams (4 to a room) over the years, but at some point the vaccination just weakened.
What about all the babies/young children/EVEN TEENAGERS!!! who DIE after receiving vaccines??? How can you be telling me that vaccines “are safe and effective” blah blah blah when people HAVE DIED AFTER RECEIVING VACCINES? What about all the chemicals in vaccines - such as mercury?? Do you feel comfortable injecting your body with those chemicals/poison?? Because I know I definitely AM NOT OK WITH IT.