Whiskey Tango Foxtrot

Got a call from the school nurse today. She said, ‘oh gosh, we don’t have all of M2’s vaccination info & uh, so, she has to be vaccinated for varicella (chicken pox) or you have to sign the exemption form, see, it’s this new Washington state law… even if they’ve had chicken pox.”

Um NO. That’s not true. If you’re going to quote law at me, at least get it right.

Washington state law:

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/WAC/default.aspx?cite=246-100-166
(3)(c) As proof of a child’s immunization status against varicella, schools and child care centers may accept one of the following:
(i) Documentation on the CIS form that the child received age appropriate varicella vaccine; or
(ii) Until July 1, 2008, documentation by the parent that a child has a history of varicella (we provided this information to them last February); or
(iii) Serologic proof of immunity against varicella; or
(iv) Diagnosis or verification of a history of varicella disease by a health care provider; or
(v) Diagnosis or verification of a history of herpes zoster by a health care provider.

Yeah, our doctor confirmed that it was chicken fucking pox. I guess I can ask for her diagnosis (which pretty much consisted of, “oh yeah, chicken pox”). I really resent being told that I have to sign some form like I’m doing something contrary to recommendations, for a whole variety of reasons. I’m certainly not vaccinating for something my kid has immunity to. And frankly, I’ve dutifully reported all vaccination stuff, I’m sorry & annoyed you lost it.

School nurse lady, you sound like a very nice lady, and I know you’re probably overwhelmed with your work because you have to handle more than one school, and you probably have to call 3/4s of all of the kindergarten parents in all schools you handle, but… no. Just. No.