Are there any religious exemptions for vaccinations while in/joining, and if so, where can I find them?

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 27 Mar 2017 13:43:09 -0400

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 27 at 2017 1:46 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 27 Mar 2017 13:46:54 -0400

Not to sound like a smart A but what religion if you don't mind my asking? To my knowledge though, medical readiness trumps it all. I could be wrong.
" Readiness is number one, there is no other number one."

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 27 at 2017 1:46 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 27 Mar 2017 13:46:58 -0400

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 27 at 2017 1:47 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 27 Mar 2017 13:47:05 -0400

No. Take the shot

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 27 at 2017 1:59 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 27 Mar 2017 13:59:42 -0400

There's only a few that I can think of that you can attempt to argue. One you have to have an active Native American Docit number and the tribe has to give you a medical clearance which has to fall under certain federal and tribal guidelines. Two you have to sign something stating the military will only treat you for physical injuries not viruses, fungus or any other third world disease you may inhabit while deployed the same goes for treatment to you family as well so be careful what you ask for.

If you have an allergic reaction to past vaccines you ask for the plant based vaccination instead of the animal by product vaccines. Your VA or Pharmicist can tell you the difference. Usually.

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Mar 27 at 2017 3:04 PM

SGM Erik Marquez — Mon, 27 Mar 2017 15:04:17 -0400

No, or not when I was in that I know of.. You are free to sign ART15 for refusing an order, and then the separation paperwork that will follow shortly though.
You have NO right to be in the service, if you CHOOSE to be in the military, you accept the requirements there of.

Or you fight the system like hell , such as Sikhs did and won.

Best get started, might take a few dozen years

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 27 at 2017 3:13 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 27 Mar 2017 15:13:09 -0400

To clarify, not me. I'm asking in regards to my patient population. Found the answer. Short answer: AR 600-20 and AR 40-562 have very strict qualifications for a religious exemption. Basically it's so convoluted to be nearly impossible, and can be revoked in case of imminent threat.
So if you are to be PCS'd or deployed to an area with endemic typhoid, you're getting the shot.

Response by SSG Shawn Nelson made Mar 27 at 2017 3:15 PM

SSG Shawn Nelson — Mon, 27 Mar 2017 15:15:43 -0400

Nope; suck it up, like all the rest of us

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Mar 28 at 2017 5:19 AM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Tue, 28 Mar 2017 05:19:07 -0400

Not that I'm Aware Of. Goes with the Territory when I was in, Lots and lots of Vaccinations. Tetanus and Yellow Fever I got several times. Tetanus Aggravtes the Shit Out of My Viral Bursitis. The Worst Reaction was Probably Swine Flu Shot I got in Boot Camp in 76. The Entire Company were Relegated to their Racks with Fever.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 11 at 2017 5:06 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 11 Apr 2017 17:06:01 -0400

None unless you are jehova Witness if thats how you spell it

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 11 at 2017 6:35 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 11 Apr 2017 18:35:52 -0400

There is a regulation for it, but it is overshadowed by the fact of readiness and sustainment verses religious views. An individual can have significant affect on his company and battalion by refusing said vaccination. This not subjects one person to a disease but subjects others to symptoms and other illnesses that can be attributed to said disease.

Response by CPL Stormi Miller made Apr 13 at 2017 12:34 AM

CPL Stormi Miller — Thu, 13 Apr 2017 00:34:05 -0400

Only exemption U ever found for any soldier was confirmed allergy.

Response by SSG Darrell Peters made Apr 23 at 2017 11:44 PM

SSG Darrell Peters — Sun, 23 Apr 2017 23:44:34 -0400

I administered many and I do mean many vaccinations during my career in the Army. the only exemption I am aware of is an allergy. An Allergy to Eggs, Chickens or Feathers will exempt a soldier from the flu Shot for example. The allergy must be documented. Vaccinations are not all made in the same manner. Then if you have an allergy to, to many of the Vaccinations your Military could be ended. Although it is understood allergies do exist An allergy to the flu shot would not necessarily end a career.
Some Vaccines due to the cost are only administered on an as needed basis.
Vaccinations are used to protect Service Members from Deadly Diseases and insure they can operate safely in an area and return home safely.

Response by LTC Trent Klug made Apr 24 at 2017 12:50 AM

LTC Trent Klug — Mon, 24 Apr 2017 00:50:31 -0400

Really? There are waivers available? Why am I learning this now instead of 33 years later?

Response by PO3 Donald Murphy made Apr 24 at 2017 9:00 AM

PO3 Donald Murphy — Mon, 24 Apr 2017 09:00:20 -0400

There is a religion that shall remain nameless that does not believe in/allow blood transfusions. I wonder how that religion gets along?

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 28 at 2017 11:50 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 28 Apr 2017 23:50:32 -0400

None

Response by PVT Mark Brown made May 2 at 2017 11:10 PM

PVT Mark Brown — Tue, 02 May 2017 23:10:29 -0400

When I entered service 1968 I recall members of some religion faction or other that were exempt from inoculations and vaccinations (are they the same thing?) When I saw those star wars injection guns I thought I just remembered my religion said I can't get shots which held zero weight. One thing that I say happen a LOT was guys would flinch and the compressed air vaccination gun would damage a man's skin, such as treating the flesh causing unnecessary pain and bleeding. I was fortunate in that I was not bothered by needles and shots so all went well with me. But, those few other guys, I felt sorry for them. I do remember with vivid clarity the first day of shots, there must have been fourteen or so. I only know it was a very long line and dressed in only our skivvies at Ft. Lewis in March - COLD!

Response by PO2 Dan Shulla made May 3 at 2017 1:27 PM

PO2 Dan Shulla — Wed, 03 May 2017 13:27:58 -0400

Not that I ever heard of

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 23 at 2017 10:57 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 23 May 2017 22:57:38 -0400

Yes and no. If you refuse a medical order and damage yourself, your Command COULD hold you liable. While in Afghanistan, we were pulling blood titers of anyone coming down with malaria to see if they were taking their Doxy.

Response by CH (LTC) Robert Leroe made Jan 18 at 2018 9:47 PM

CH (LTC) Robert Leroe — Thu, 18 Jan 2018 21:47:28 -0500

Christian Science had an exemption; I don't know if they still do.

Response by Jessica Perez made Feb 2 at 2019 5:36 PM

Jessica Perez — Sat, 02 Feb 2019 17:36:56 -0500

I know personally four active duty soldiers and know of an additional nine soldiers with vaccine exemptions (Religious) who have also deployed and gone oconus with no vaccines and know of another 7 in the process of requesting theirs. It is extremely simple if you know the steps to take and have the balls to do it.