Immunization Letter from Dr. Schmidt

January 30, 2023

Dear: Saint Mary School Family and Prospective Members,

I received this clarification from the Superintendent of Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Trenton regarding student immunizations/vaccines. I hope this helps you all understand the position of the Diocese of Trenton.

God Bless,
Craig Palmer
Principal
______________________________________________________________________

January 9,2023   

All School Administrators,

As the new year commences, the DCS has received quite a few “vaccine questions” from our schools.  As you know, I have responded to every one of the calls/emails personally and will continue to do so, with consistency being the name of the game in all my responses.
Let me reiterate and expound on a few of the topics coming into the office most recently. By the way, when we are speaking about vaccines, it is NOT about the Covid vaccine, per se, but now is including all the required vaccines by the State of New Jersey Department of Health.

There have been three (3) types of “exemptions” requested of the schools regarding the vaccines.   

Conscience and religious exemptions are not recognized by the Diocese of Trenton.  The DCS has been clear and consistent in its refusal in allowing either of these two exemptions in the last three years.  The Holy Father and the USCCB have stated that there are no moral objections to receiving the complete required immunizations. If there are concerns about specific vaccines, there are other manufacturing options available to address these concerns.   
Medical exemptions are allowed if the proper form, written by the State of New Jersey and provided by the Catholic school, is completed, and authorized by an attending physician to the child.  The physician cannot be a random doctor or a family friend that has no medical ties to the child in question.    

It has been uncovered that some of our schools (elementary) have “religious exemptions” on file for existing students.  The ones uncovered so far are predated from the Covid pandemic timeframe.  These exemptions are on file and children have been enrolled because of their acceptance.  Therefore, if a child has a pre-existing religious exemption on file, it will be grandfathered.  However, this too poses risks that must be explained to the parents.  For example, if a new vaccine requirement is established by the State of New Jersey, that vaccine will not be grandfathered into the existing “blanket exemption” on file.  If a student switches schools, up to and including high school enrollment, the exemption on file is terminated.
It is the expectation that all schools follow this procedure, as it has not changed in at least three years.   

Remember our job as administrators is to ensure the Catholic identity and mission of our schools and make sure they are open and safe for that mission to be lived daily!

Warmest regards, and grateful for your efforts!

Vincent de Paul Schmidt, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Catholic Schools