Vaccinations

Vaccine Policy Statement

We, the providers of Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine, LLP, feel that immunizing infants, children and teenagers against life-threatening diseases is the most important part of our job.

Epiglotitis, bacterial meningitis, measles, congenital rubella syndrome and other serious diseases we have diagnosed and treated early in our careers are now very rarely seen.

Yet, we find many parents reluctant to vaccinate their children. Parents give many reasons, but usually they worry about the safety of vaccines. The concerns may be about immediate side effects such as fever or may take the form of anxiety that vaccines might cause autism. Some feel that the risk of contracting these diseases are low; others feel that the diseases prevented are not particularly serious diseases.

Autism Speaks, the major advocacy group for families, indicates on their website: “Over the last two decades, extensive research has asked whether there is any link between childhood vaccinations and autism. The results of this research are clear: Vaccines do not cause autism”.

Diphtheria and tetanus toxoids and pertussis (DTP) was licensed for use in children in 1949. After 60+ years of use, no long term problems have arisen.

In 1955, the first polio vaccine was licensed, pioneered by Dr. Jonas Salk. Yet polio is not yet eradicated. Afghanistan and Pakistan still have outbreaks. In 2013, although no one had been paralyzed, wild poliovirus was detected in sewage in Israel.

Rather than relying on unreliable blogs on the internet, families are encouraged to read the medical articles which have objectively address their concerns at:

American Academy of Pediatrics – Vaccine Studies: Examine the Evidence

These studies do not show any link between autism or developmental problems and MMR vaccine, thimerosal or multiple vaccines given at once.

The evidence and our clinical experience clearly shows that the benefits of immunizations outweighs any potential risks. Of course, the safety and effectiveness of vaccines are under constant study. Our providers are constantly keeping up with new medical information and incorporating that knowledge into the delivery of our pediatric care.

Our providers will spend all the necessary time, reviewing the risks vs benefits during the wellchild visits. We will work with families to fully vaccinate their children. However, families who refuse to vaccinate their children may be better served using another pediatric group who shares their approach to medical care.

Immunization Schedule For Children