General Information on Laws, Policies, and Standing Orders
Below is general information that may be helpful in understanding standing orders and injections provided as a standard of care at birthing facilities.
- State Laws May Not Apply to Hospitals – State public health laws, which require certain vaccinations for your child to go to school, do not apply to private hospitals or birthing centers. There may also be variability in state laws and their application to private hospitals and birthing centers regarding vitamin K shots. Private medical facilities may have their own internal policies in place regarding standing orders and have a legal right to refuse to allow you to give birth in their medical facility if you do not agree to abide by their policies in advance. Request information on your health facility’s policies and standing orders governing hepatitis B vaccine and RSV monoclonal antibody and vitamin K shots well in advance of the birth of your child.
- Ask for Changes in Standing Orders – Get a written agreement to your request for changes to standing orders relating to these injections. When admitted to the hospital or birthing center you have chosen, keep a copy with you and provide a copy to the admissions staff when admitted to give birth. Additionally, if you have a birthing plan, this preference should be noted in the written plan provided to the hospital or birthing center, and you should keep a copy of that plan with you when admitted to the birthing facility.
