CMs - Are we allowed to accept children who have not been/will not be vaccinated?

[looneytune]

I was just reading through something else on the HPA list and it mentions that Vaccinations should be checked and any missed ones need to be caught up with.

A lot more people are anti-vaccine these days so what happens if a parent chooses not to vaccinate? Are we allowed to accept them and just make a note on the file?

TIA

I have never been asked to accept a child who was not vaccinated. If I was, I would check with whoever the relevent (sp?) people are. Given a choice, I would prefer not to take a child who was not up to date with vaccinations.

AFIK you cannot refuse to take a child for this reason.

I would ask the parent for a signed & dated written list of vaccinations that have been withheld, which also states that they are fully aware of the risks to their child by not having the vaccination ie, they have made an "informed decision".

I would print an info sheet for the child's file (have a look at nhsdirect or just google the illness) for each disease the child is not protected against so you have a clear idea of what symptoms to look out for. (and can be prompt in notifying the parent to collect their child if they become ill). Have the parent sign a sickness/exclusion policy which states they understand they cannot bring their child when unwell - even if every other child in the setting has been vaccinated against the disease. This is because a) a sick child may not be able to participate in your normal routine b) a sick child may need more attention and this could compromise the quality of care to other mindees c) other people may not be vaccinated (yourself, your family members and other parents/visitors, ad-hoc/emergency mindees) and you may be in contact with vulnerable people like babies/elderly etc.

HTH

I had two unvaccinated children on roll, you cannot refuse to take them, it is apparently discriminatory to do so. and that information is (obviously) confidential between you and the parent. You may not even tell the other parents that there is an unvaccinated child in the setting

I got whooping cough one year, although I was vaccinated, warned the parents, but they said that was a risk they would take.

In the USA you cannot attend daycare or school until all you vaccinations are complete.

I'm suprised you can't refuse them due to the risk they might pose to the other children and their families.

That's great thanks, I have no problem in them not being vaccinated as all the children in my care have had them so shouldn't be at any more risk. I'll look into what I can/can't say when I next take on a small child who hasn't yet had theirs.

Thanks everyone

What risk would they pose? Surely they are more at risk themselves

I couldn't see any risk apart from to ones who are too young to have had their jabs. I basically took someone on recently, knew they hadn't had jabs etc. All fine by me as I almost didn't for my 2nd one. But then when I looked at HPA list it mentions about making sure children have caught up with vaccines so I panicked because I'd not checked (because I honestly thought was fine). Now I'm reassured that this IS fine. I just now need to find out where I stand with informing parents of very young (I've had a 5 weeks old and 2 x 8 week olds in the past) children that 'a' child in my care hasn't had them. I'd imagine I'd have a duty to tell them but without saying who????