<p>For as long as I can remember, I've been very particular about the things I put into my body. I try to make an effort to avoid GMOs, pesticides, fluoride, etc. So, when I saw that I would be required to get more immunization shots, I was a little taken aback. </p>
<p>Apparently, there is a law in North Carolina that states ALL university students MUST have up to date immunizations. Is there any way to avoid this? I know some choose to say it goes against their religious beliefs, but this is not the case for me; it is purely philosophical. (I'd hate to lie.) </p>
<p>Is anyone else going through a similar dilemma? And, if so, have you come across any executable solutions? Thanks.</p>
<p>Just get over yourself and get the shot. No, it doesn’t hurt. </p>
<p>If you don’t get this shot, then you might get other germs, bacteria, or viruses inside your body which will violate your “philosophy” anyways. And I’m sure you’ve had the shot before (when you were a kid), so its not like you’re putting anything completely new into your body.</p>
<p>You sound like those three year olds who become really scared when they have to get shots.</p>
<p>Im goin to High Point University so I had to deal with these North Carolina laws too. I doubt you can get past having to take these shots. Just take them. They are for your benefit.</p>
<p>Wow theespy69, thank you for such a constructive answer…</p>
<p>If you had carefully deciphered the context of my post, you would have understood that I didn’t want to get the shots due to the experimental nature of vaccines and how some of them have been known to introduce other health problems: arthritis, fatigue, and other negative reactions. But thanks for the advise. <em>sucking thumb</em></p>
<p>Unless you need proof, just lie and say because of religious belief because honestly, I don’t think there is any way to get out of it, especially if you plan to live in a dorm.</p>
<p>I understand where you are coming from since I do know some people who HATE immunization shots because they feel it brings on problems.</p>
<p>I don’t know what’s worst though: having arthritis or having meningitis.</p>
<p>A competent doctor wouldn’t give you experimental vaccines without first telling you and probably giving you compensation. Vaccines may go through experimental testing stages, if that’s what you’re talking about. If that’s the case, then you should rest assured that there’s a lower probability of this vaccine accidentally giving you cancer and a higher success rate for defending against pathogens.</p>
<p>Besides, I’d rather have you go through a few hours of potential nausea and headaches then have you contract meningitis which spreads to everyone in close and constant contact with you. Then we’re all screwed.</p>
<p>In all seriousness though, the possible side affects of getting your shots are far outweighed by the benefits to your health and the health of others. If you’re really afraid, have your doctor check you for potential issues with common vaccines. Fear of medical professionals and modern medicine is completely unwarranted when considering the benefits to your health.</p>
<p>I am pretty sure that you are only required to have basic immunization for your school (MMR, DTP, polio, hepatitis B, etc.), and I highly doubt any of those have notable side effects (as millions of people have had these shots). The basic vaccines are probably not experimental in nature- they’ve been around for a good amount of time and many people have had them.</p>
<p>And even if the vaccines do have side effects, the potential diseases you could get from not taking the shot far outweigh these “side effects” you talk about.</p>
<p>First certain posters here are not fit to be within two meters of a keyboard.</p>
<p>Second, congratulations, BabyTitan, on having found your religion about a year ago: Church of Christ Scientist. Lie your butt off since it’s either that or a syringe full of thimerisol.</p>
<p>If the bona fide religious beliefs of an adult or the parent, guardian or person in loco parentis of a child are contrary to the immunization requirements, the adult or the child shall be exempt from the requirements. Upon submission of a written statement of the bona fide religious beliefs and opposition to the immunization requirements, the person may attend the college, university, school or facility without presenting a certificate of immunization. No child shall be exempt from the requirements of immunizations for the case of a personal belief or philosophy of a parent or guardian not founded upon a religious belief. </p>
<p>It is your civic duty to get immunizations, because they protect not only you, but other people (including children), some of whom can’t get immunizations for specific health reasons. Your failure to get immunized could literally cause another person’s death. Also, if you don’t get immunized, you are a parasite on the “herd immunity” which is created by other people who get immunized.</p>
<p>Hmm… I couldn’t tell if that was directed at me, but if so, no I don’t have it, haha. I don’t think the OP has arthritis. I think he/she stated that it is a possible side effect from the shots. </p>
<p>I don’t know how true that is since I haven’t read up on these shots, but for me personally, I’d rather risk getting arthritis than having meningitis or hepatitis. Just my opinion!</p>
<p>At my school you can claim religion to get out of the shots, but if there is ANY case of anything contagious outside of a cold (there was a case of a visitor getting chickenpox last year) those people are barred from lectures and are quarantined or something. </p>
<p>I’d just get them… but if you’re that against it, you’re going to have to lie about it and say your religion doesnt allow it.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone for the constructive–and rapid–replies! I will weigh my options carefully. (But after hearing the post about those who didn’t have their immunization shots being quarantined, I think I just about made up my mind.)</p>
<p>Hunt: you had very good points, and I would hate to hurt someone else from carrying a vector that may be harmful to someone else but not me.</p>
<p>And Vanagandr, I must admit, I did laugh out loud when I read the first part of your post and thank you for the helpful info </p>
<p>The only reason why I was a bit skeptical about getting shots is because at my previous school (a community college with about 18,000 students) I rarely, if ever, contracted anything. The same applied to a large research institution I attended a few years back. </p>
<p>Guess I’ll just suck it up. <em>takes thumb out mouth</em></p>
<p>The exemption card is at least worth a shot, and quarantines are an air-tight way to skip if attendance is required for certain classes. What will they do, haul one before an inquisition for a lively discussion of theology?</p>
<p>I don’t know if I’d like having my school put me in an inflatable bubble to avoid contact with other students if I got sick. I think I prefer my rock, thank you. It’s cozy!</p>
<p>But I have to respect your opinion on being against immunization. I’m not too crazy about shots either, but I’d rather be on the safe side even if there might be some risks. I think it is risky either way =</p>
<p>Icedragon: Do you mean “tetanus”? Tetris? Like the game!</p>
<p>How many shots do you need to get? It scares me when they “combine” shots and do them together, I think that’s just me though. Get the required shots, and hold off on any of those optional ones like the HPV one for women(yeah, not getting that one…).</p>
<p>–MMR (measels, mumps, rubella—all in one shot)
–Menactra (meningococcal vaccine) is used to prevent infection caused by meningococcal bacteria
–Hepatitis B
–tetanus/diphtheria (diphtheria=pertussis=whooping cough)</p>
</p>