DayCare
State form required: NO 1) a medical exemption is allowed if a physician submits documentation attesting that an immunization is medically contraindicated; and
2) a religious exemption is allowed if a parent or guardian submits a written statement that immunizations conflict with their sincere religious beliefs.

See below under schools for a suggested letter:

Preschool
See below under schools for a suggested letter:

Kindergarten & Schools
1) a medical exemption is allowed if a physician submits documentation attesting that an immunization is medically contraindicated; and
2) a religious exemption is allowed if a parent or guardian submits a written statement that immunizations conflict with their sincere religious beliefs.

[Short Form]
Notice of Religious Exemption to Vaccinations To whom this may concern, We, parents names, are exempting our child, (child's name,)___________________ from all vaccinations because it conflicts with our sincerely held religious belief.
Exceptions: MGL 76, &15.
1) Upon certification that a doctor has personally examined the child and found "that his health would be endangered by such vaccination or by any of such immunizations."

2) No "child whose parent or guardian states in writing that vaccination or immunization conflicts with sincere religious beliefs shall be required to present" the certificate in order to be admitted.
Exemption does not require the objecting persons to be a member of a recognized church or religious denomination. Dallo v. Board of Education, 358 Mass 753, 267 NE 2d 219

220.500: Immunization Requirements for Preschool, Elementary, Middle and High School Students

(C)     The requirements in 105 CMR 220.500 (A) and (B) shall not apply:

1. upon presentation of written documentation that the student meets the standards for medical or religious exemption set forth in M.G.L. c. 76, ss 15;
2. upon presentation of appropriate documentation, including a copy of a school immunization record, indicating receipt of the required immunizations;
3. in the case of measles, mumps, rubella and hepatitis B, upon presentation of laboratory evidence of immunity; or
4. in the case of varicella, upon presentation of laboratory evidence of immunity or a statement signed by a physician that the student has a history of chickenpox disease.

Sincerely,


_________________________ Name(s) of Parent(s)

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A longer form to download that you may modify as you see fit:
(.doc) VaccineTruth.net/letters/AFFIDAVIT for Massachusetts Older Child.doc

Colleges/Universities

220.600: Immunization Requirements for Postsecondary Students
Here are the laws that pertain to Post Secondary Schools (colleges and universities)
They are in PDF and .RTF format, as PROOF that your son is allowed religious exemption. It should be downloaded and printed out.
(.pdf) http://www.lawlib.state.ma.us/source/mass/cmr/cmrtext/105CMR220.pdf
(.rtf) http://www.mass.gov/eohhs/docs/dph/regs/105cmr220.rtf
(Religious exemption is mentioned on page 3)

M.G.L. - Chapter 76, Section 15c
http://www.malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleXII/Chapter76/Section15c

(CMR = Code of Massachusetts Regulations)
(Exemption Information)

Suggested letter follows:

Notice of Religious Exemption to Vaccinationsbr>
NAME of SCHOOL ____________________________

As per General Laws of Massachusetts chapter 76, section 15C (Vaccination and Immunization; Exceptions by Reason of Physical Condition or Religious Belief) I am exempting myself from vaccination because it conflicts with my sincerely held religious belief.

Title 105 CMR 220.600: Immunization Requirements for Postsecondary Students
...
(D) The requirements of 105 CMR 220.600 shall not apply where:
(1) the student provides written documentation that he or she meets the standards for medical or religious exemption set forth in M.G.L. c. 76, § 15C;

Sincerely,



_____________________ ________________
Name/Signature of Student

Long Form letter that should be edited if you use it:
(.doc) AFFIDAVIT for Massachusetts Adult (college religious exemption) M.G.L. c. 76, ss 15C;.doc

MDPH Information about Meningococcal Disease and Vaccination from Mass.Gov and
Waiver for Students at Residential Schools and Colleges
http://www.mass.gov/eohhs/docs/dph/cdc/meningitis/info-waiver.pdf
Waiver is at bottom of page 2.

Tufts University
MDPH Meningococcal Information and Waiver Form
Waiver for Students at Residential Schools and Colleges
(.pdf) http://ase.tufts.edu/healthservice/documents/meningococcalVacc.pdf
(.pdf) Meningococcal Disease and Vaccine Information and Waiver

Andover Newton Theological School
MDPH Meningococcal Information and Waiver Form
See the Registrar for information about waiving this requirement.

Pine Manor College
MDPH Meningococcal Information and Waiver Form
Waiver for Students at Residential Schools and Colleges
Waiver on page 2
(.pdf) http://www.pmc.edu/Websites/pmc/Images/health_wellness/MeningWaiver.pdf

University of Massachusetts Amherst
MDPH Meningococcal Information and Waiver Form
Waiver for Students at Residential Schools and Colleges
Waiver on page 2
(.pdf) http://www.umass.edu/uhs/uploads/basicContentWidget/9376/UHS_NSIP_form03_12img.pdf
Waiver is on page 2 of the pdf file. You will need to submit your statement of religious exemption for other required vaccines.

Bridgewater State College
MDPH Meningococcal Information and Waiver Form
Waiver for Students at Residential Schools and Colleges
Waiver on pages 1 and 4
(.doc) http://www.bridgew.edu/HealthServices/Health%20Form%20and%20Meningitis%20Waiver.doc

Fitchburg State College - 160 Pearl St., Fitchburg MA
MDPH Meningococcal Information and Waiver Form
Waiver for Students at Residential Schools and Colleges
Waiver on page 2
(.pdf) http://www.fitchburgstate.edu/uploads/files/HealthServices/MeningococcalInfoWaiver.pdf

Boston College
MDPH Meningococcal Information and Waiver Form and Health Form
Waiver for Students at Residential Schools and Colleges on page 6
(.pdf) http://www.bc.edu/content/dam/files/offices/uhs/pdf/waiver052007.pdf

Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary
Official Decline of Meningococcal Vaccine
(.pdf) http://www.gordonconwell.edu/hamilton/current/documents/hamreg_immu_mening_waiv.pdf

Amherst College
MDPH Meningococcal Information and Waiver Form and Health Form
Waiver for Students at Residential Schools and Colleges on page 2
(.pdf) New Student Immunization Form Fall 2012 image - Amherst College

Wellesley College
MDPH Meningococcal Information and Waiver Form (page 11) and Health Form
Waiver for Students at Residential Schools and Colleges on page 2
(.pdf) http://www.wellesley.edu/Health/Health.History%202012-1.pdf

Applicable law has been interpreted to mean that a religious belief is subject to protection even though no religious group espouses such beliefs or the fact that the religious group to which the individual professes to belong may not advocate or require such belief. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as amended Nov. 1, 1980; Part 1605.1-Guidelines on Discrimination Because of Religion.

Our legal rights are guaranteed by the free exercise clause of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. States can only go against this if they can prove a compelling state interest is at stake. But recent court decisions have upheld the rights of individuals seeking exemptions from immunizations based upon "personal" religious beliefs. [Sherr and Levy vs. Northport East-Northport Union Free School District, 672 F. Supp. 81, (E.D.N.Y., 1987); Allanson vs. Clinton Central School District, U.S.. District Court, Northern District Court, Northern District of New York (84 CV 174), 1984; Campain vs. Marlboro Central School District, Supreme Court Ulster County Special Term, November 15, 1985; Brown vs. City School District, 429 NYS2d 355; Maier vs. Besser, 73 Misc.2d 241].

On the U.S. Supreme Court level in Frazee v. Illinois Dept. of Security, 489 U.S. 829, 1989, it was found that a state may not deny an exemption simply because a person is not a member of a formal religious organization. In addition, the Supreme Court has noted that nontraditional beliefs, including secular humanism, atheism, and nontheistic faiths, are all "religion" for the purpose of free exercise analysis. The Supreme Court in Fowler v. Rhode Island, 345 U.S. 67 (1953) held that it was "no business of the courts to say what is a religious practice or activity for one group is not religion under the protection of the First Amendment."

Section 15C. No full-time student under thirty years of age or any full-time or part-time undergraduate or graduate students in a health science who is in contact with patients shall, except as hereinafter provided, be registered at an institution of higher education except upon presentation of a medical certificate that such student has been immunized against measles, mumps, rubella, tetanus and diphtheria; provided, however, that a student may be registered at such institution upon certification made, in writing, by a physician who has personally examined such student and in whose opinion the physical condition of such student is such that his health would be endangered by any such immunization; and provided, further, that students who have attended an elementary or secondary school in the commonwealth may submit a copy of their school immunization record, indicating receipt of the above required immunizations, in lieu of such certificate; and provided, further, that unimmunized students may be registered on the condition that the required immunizations be obtained within ten days of registration.

In the absence of an emergency or epidemic of disease declared by the department of public health, no student who states in writing that such immunization would conflict with his religious beliefs shall be required to present such medical certificate in order to be admitted to such institution.

* Nowhere in the above text does it mention that a letter from clergy is required.

HAMPSHIRE COLLEGE HEALTH SERVICES (forms)
893 West Street
Amherst, MA 01002-3359
Waiver for Meningococcal Vaccination Requirement on page 8
(.pdf) http://www.hampshire.edu/newstudent_newsletter/2012_New_Student_Health_and_Counseling_Forms.pdf

http://www.emerson.edu/sites/default/files/Files/StudentLife/health-center-meningococcal-info-waiver.pdf Emerson College Center for Health and Wellness
http://www.emerson.edu/student-life/health-safety/center-health-wellness/health-forms

Meningitis Information and Vaccination Waiver - Required for all Undergraduate Students**
(.pdf) health-center-meningococcal-info-waiver.pdf

For other vaccines...
Emerson College Center for Health and Wellness
RELIGIOUS EXEMPTION — HEALTH / IMMUNIZATION
(.pdf) health-center-religious-exemption.pdf

For all other colleges vaccine requirements (MMR, tetanus, Hepatitis B):
Use the letter at Colleges or you can modify this AFFIDAVIT. Be sure to cite the law at the bottom of the affidavit. Edit to satisfy the college or university requirements.
(.doc) AFFIDAVIT for Massachusetts Adult (college religious exemption) M.G.L. c. 76, ss 15C;.doc

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