Christian UC: Vaccines

Vaccination Exemption Letter For the United States Air Force

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Note: Below you will find an actual request and approval for an immunization waiver (The names have been changed to protect the innocent). Just after the approval you will find Paragraph 13 of AFJI 48-110, which is the applicable regulation that covers the waiver.

DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE

15 August 1998

MEMORANDUM FOR 557FTS/CC
10AMS/SGP
10MDG/SG
HQ AFMOA/SGOA
IN TURN

FROM: Capt John Doe
Your Unit
Anywhere AFB. USA

SUBJECT: Permanent waiver for immunizations

1. I request a permanent waiver according to AFJI 48-110, paragraph 13.

2. My full name is John Doe. My SSN is 000-00-0000. I am a Captain in the (your unit). I am a member of the board of directors of (your church), and the counselor's statement is attached. Also attached is a statement of my Religious beliefs, and a counselor's statement from (your church) which I have been a member of since January 1985.

3. I discussed the waiver and the view point of the Air Force with Col. Jane Doe on 1 August 1998.

John Doe
Capt. USAF

Attachments:
1. Counselor's statement
2. Personal religious beliefs
3. Counselor's statement

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DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE

20 August 1998

MEMORANDUM FOR (your unit)
10AMS/SGP
10MDG/SG
HQ AFMOA/SGOA
IN TURN

FROM: HQ AFMOA/SGOO
110 Luke Avenue,Room 400
Bolling AFB, DC 20332-7050

SUBJECT: Immunization Waiver

The immunization waiver on John Doe has been approved. Although this waiver is permanent, IAW Air Force Joint Instruction 48-110, it may be revoked locally if necessary to ensure the accomplishment of the military mission. Additionally, John Doe must be counseled IAW AFJI 48-110, which requires documentation in the health record. Please refer to this instruction for counseling requirements. Any questions may be addressed to myself or Msgt Jane Doe.

COURTNEY SCOTT, Col, USAF, MC, SFS
Chief, Physical Standards,
Air Force Medical Operations Agency
Office of the Surgeon General

Attachments:
Case File

cc:
HQUSAF/111
file

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Paragraph 13 of AFJI 48-110

13. Waivers. The respective Surgeons General and CG MPC or Commandant (G-K) grant permanent immunization waivers for military or civilian personnel (employed by the military or training under military sponsorship). Such waivers are granted only in the case of legitimate religious objections to Immunization and are revoked if necessary to ensure the accomplishment of the military mission. Authority to grant temporary waivers is delegated as follows;
13.1. Army only. Medical authority at major commands.
13.2. Air Force only. Major command surgeons.
13.3. Navy and Marine Corps only. The Chief, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery.
13.4. Waivers from private physicians based on personal beliefs or attitudes are not authorized.
13.5. Forward to the appropriate; commander or surgeon waivers for religious objections.
13.5.1. Include full name, rank, and SSN; name of recognized religious group and the date of the applicant's affiliation; supporting certification signed by an authorized personal religious counselor. The counselor attests that the applicant is an active member in good standing of the espoused religious group, adheres to tenets consistent with the espoused religious beliefs and the religious group has a tenet or belief opposing immunizations.
13.6. Commanders ensure counseling of the applicant is provided by a medical officer and documented in the health record. The following Information is included in the counseling:
13.6.1. Noncompliance with immunization requirements adversely impact deployability and administrative actions may be taken.
13.6.2. Additional risk to health on exposure to disease against which he/she is not protected.
13.6.3. Possibility he/she may be detained during travel across international borders in accordance with international health regulations.
13.6.4. Possibility that if a waiver is granted the waiver can be revoked if he/she is at imminent risk of exposure to a disease for which an immunization is available. This is in keeping with the tenets concerning involuntary therapeutic care when military mission accomplishment may be compromised.

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