Michael T. Farley, Esq.

The Rhode Island Department of Health recently adopted a regulation mandating an HPV vaccine for all students entering the seventh grade in September 2015.  However, if you are uncomfortable with the idea of vaccinating your child for a sexually transmitted disease, a legal exemption is available.

 

The vaccine prevents some forms of Human Papilloma Virus - a sexually transmitted disease commonly referred to as "genital warts."  The HPV vaccine has been marketed as a cancer preventative because in isolated cases, untreated cases of specific types of HPV have been linked to cervical cancer later in life.

 

Tricia Washburn, chief of the office of immunization for the Rhode Island Department of Health, is quoted as saying that Rhode Island's 12-year-olds should be vaccinated to protect members of the general public from this sexually transmitted disease. “The bottom line is that HPV is the most sexually transmitted disease in the U.S.” she said. “We are interested in protecting the public health."

 

This is a significant step because Rhode Island is the first and only state in the entire nation to require BOYS to be vaccinated against HPV.

 

The State of Virginia is the only other state to require 12-year-old girls to be vaccinated, though to be fair, the Virginia regulation can hardly be called a requirement, because it allows parents to opt their daughters out of the requirement for any reason.  Rhode Island only allows two very specific exemptions to the HPV vaccine.

 

(Contrary to certain websites, the State of Washington's Department of Health does not require any HPV vaccine as a condition to attending school.)

 

Under Rhode Island law, the vaccine protocol requires girls AND boys to be vaccinated against genital warts three times: once at age 12, again at age 13, and again at age 14. 

 

However, after reviewing the medical risks of the vaccine, many parents are concerned about reports that the HPV vaccine has triggered deadly autoimmune responses in their children - boys and girls.  Although the vaccine manufacturer is exempt from liability for any harm caused by their product, the risks are well documented.

 

Aside from the medical concerns, others parents have equally valid concerns that vaccinating their children against a sexually transmitted disease at the age of 12 conflicts with their religious and moral beliefs about sexuality.

 

For that reason, the Rhode Island Department of Health has provided an exemption for medical reasons OR for religious reasons.  If you complete the "Religious Immunization Exemption Certificate", your child will be allowed to attend seventh grade without the HPV vaccine.  

 

A copy of the form can be found here: http://www.health.ri.gov/forms/exemption/ReligiousImmunizationExemptionCertificateForSchools.pdf   

 

The form is easy to complete and requires only a signature and a valid belief that the genital wart vaccine conflicts with a religious belief.  Since most religions frown on 12 year olds engaging in sexual activity, this statement should be readily accepted.

 

However, if you have problems enrolling your child in the 7th grade without the HPV vaccine, give me a call - perhaps I can provide the legal assistance necessary to protect your child.  

 

Mike Farley

401-835-8775