How to Refuse

One of the most common questions we hear in our forum is about signing refusal to vaccinate forms. 

Why do they even have the form? If you read the instructions to the doctors on AAP vaccine refusal form, they’re suggisting doctors do it for liability reasons. But yours not asked to sign a refusal form for any other medical treatment you decline, why do physicians ask you to do it for vaccines?! Why is that the only liability they’re concerned about? It just doesn’t make sense to me. 

But it’s a thing. So do you have to sign? No, you don’t. But in lots of offices, they’ve created a policy if you don’t sign, then they will no longer see you. So what do you do when you’re presented with that form? Here’s some information to help. 

WHY SHOULDN’T I SIGN? 

- Most doctors use the AAP refusal form found here and it’s a trap! This document attaches a child ID to your little one that can be sourced electronically for the rest of their lives. It establishes and records vaccine history or lack there of.

- “I understand the following: The risks and benefits of the recommended vaccine(s).” You’re stating that you’ve been given informed consent/full disclosure. But you probably haven’t. Usually the doctor gives out the CDC information sheet and not the actual insert. That sheet does not give you adequate information to understand the risks, so you would be agreeing to a false statement.

- Signing the document would also mean that you are agreeing and confessing that not vaccinating your child comes with incredible risks and consequences- including death of your and responsibility of transmitting the disease to others. Not only is this untrue, it’s extremely incriminating.

- It ask you to inform all healthcare professionals that your child isn’t vaccinated and agree to having your child isolated and tested as they see fit.

- It’s a contract and could be used against you in a legal way. You’re asked to sign it in front of a witness in its “entirety.” You’re agreeing to everything it says, even the false information and your accepting responsibility if anything should happen to your child or others. If a custody battle comes up, the form could be used against you by the other parent. If CPS investigates you for related- or unrelated accusations, it can be used against you. If there’s an outbreak and your child hasn’t been vaccinated, it can be used against you. 

WHAT CAN YOU SAY? 

Tell the Doctor you’re taking it home to “go over with your spouse before you sign.” Then do or don’t. When you go another appointment, maybe it’s forgotten about by then. I know lots of people who’ve had success with this.  Another option- you could simply say, “I’m not comfortable signing this,”  and see where the conversation goes. This is what has worked for me personally. 

CAN I PROVIDE MY OWN FORM? 

Lots of parents have had success in providing a state exemption form for the office to have on file. While technically these are only required for daycare/school - they’re usually less incriminating than the doctors AAP form and it appeases them to have something on file removing them from liability, so everyone wins. Some parents have successfully used this modified form too. 

WHAT IF THEY REQUIRE ME TO SIGN? 

People often give the advice to “sign under duress.” This is an option however, legally there is a better one. Sign V.C. - this stands for Vi Coactus in Latin and literally means “under constraint.” This term is accepted under canon law as being “under duress” but without marking you as incompetent and shows that you signed under a threat or coercion and therefore can not be legally binding. 

WHAT IF I’M OKAY WITH SIGNING THE FORM? 

My first suggestion is to make sure you’ve read it in its entirety. Maybe your doctor uses another form than the one above. If you’ve gone over everything and don’t feel like the form makes you accept any kind of liability if something were to happen, then do what you feel comfortable with. Lots of parents have crossed off and initialed areas they didn’t agree with and then signed comfortably at the bottom. That’s your call.  Some offices may not accept you marking out things. If they do reject the form that way, keep the edited copy for your records just in case.

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I ALREADY SIGNED ONE? 

Ask for the original form back. Keep it simple and don’t offer any unnecessary information as to why. Medical establishments have record retention laws and have to keep files for a certain number of years. If they refuse to give you the original back, send them a certified letter “rescinding your signature.” 

Think Critically. 

Research Carefully.

Decide Cautiously.