How Michigan Schools Unlawfully Deny Enrollment of Unvaccinated Children

Michigan law grants parents the right to exempt their children from vaccination requirements through a statement submitted directly to the school.  However, parents are told by school administrators that they must attend an “education” session through their local health department and obtain a certified “Immunization Waiver Form” in order to enroll their child. This education session does not provide provide factual information helping parents to make an informed choice, but rather aims to intimidate and humiliate parents into compliance.  This is evident by the lack of any discussion of risk of vaccines, only the supposed benefits. These sessions also fail to elucidate the superior benefits of natural immunity.

The good news is that this education and waiver requirement is not a requirement of Michigan law.  This confusion comes from an administrative rule from Michigan Dept of Health and Human Services, which is an executive agency with no lawmaking authority. It cannot impose requirements on parents beyond those contained in statutory law nor can it deputize schools to enforce its extra-statutory requirements.

For guidance on demanding that your school adhere to Michigan state law, please read this excellent article by Jeremy Hammond, or Michigan for Vaccine Choice’s notice, “Parents! Now is the Time to Assert Your Right to Exemption for Vaccination!”