[pamkay414]

If a child is placed in a foster home are the foster parents supposed to take them to the doctor to get up to date medical care as far as immunizations etc? Isn't that medical neglect?
Also what if the kid never gets immunized? What, if any recourse would the parent have and against who, the county or the foster parents or both? Prior to the kids being placed with them they were well and had up to date medical care, never abused.
Thanks.

[mollymae]

I persosnally wouldn't consider a child not receiving immunizations, medical neglect. You could contact your local child service department and ask though.

[Samual]

In the UK you are told what vaccinations the foster children have had and what they have not had then you must ensure they recieve them as soon as possible and that future vaccinations are given when needed, such as tetanus polio, tb etc.

[angelic_ky]

i'm thinking that with so much debate on whether to vaccinate foster parents are a bit concern about whether to do it incase the bio parents didn't want it done (you can always vaccinate later but you can't un-vaccinate) and even tho some vaccinations were done there are parents that will only vaccinate for some things and not others

[wanttobemommy]

In the US I believe that unless the biological parents have given instructions and reasons as to why they do not want the vaccines given then the norm is that the child will go to all medical appointments and get the vaccines as directed. I know that the foster parents could possibly believe in the delayed vaccines and if there is a medical condition with the child then the foster parent and the peditrician could have come to an agreement on a vaccination schedule. I do not think that not recieving the vaccines can be medical neglect.

[Mizlady2k]

I agree with you Wanttobemommy. I am a foster parent and according to Child Protective Services, it is the foster parents responsibility to make sure that all children are up to date on everything once they are placed with you. Unless the parents have requested for religious purposes it is the responsibility of the foster parents. Also, I would want to make sure for safety reasons that the child is vaccinated just to make sure that your family isnt exposed to anything.