We firmly believe in the effectiveness of vaccines to prevent serious illness and to save lives.
We firmly believe in the safety of our vaccines.
We firmly believe that all children and young adults should receive all of the recommended vaccines according to the schedule published by the CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics.
We firmly believe, based on all available literature, evidence and current studies, that vaccines do not cause autism or other developmental disabilities — and that thimerosal, a preservative that has been in vaccines for decades and remains in some, does not cause autism or other developmental disabilities.
We firmly believe that vaccinating children and young adults may be the single most important health-promoting intervention we perform as health care providers, and that you can perform as parents and caregivers. The recommended vaccines and their schedule are the result of years and years of scientific study and data gathering on millions of children by thousands of our brightest scientists and physicians.
These things being said, we recognize that there has always been — and will likely always be — controversy surrounding vaccination. Indeed, Benjamin Franklin, persuaded by his brother, was opposed to the smallpox vaccine until scientific data convinced him otherwise. Tragically, he had delayed inoculating his favorite son, Franky, who contracted smallpox and died at the age of 4, leaving Ben with a lifetime of guilt and remorse. Quoting Mr. Franklin's autobiography:
In 1736, I lost one of my sons, a fine boy of four years old, by the smallpox… I long regretted bitterly, and still regret that I had not given it to him by inoculation. This I mention for the sake of parents who omit that operation, on the supposition that they should never forgive themselves if a child died under it, my example showing that the regret may be the same either way, and that, therefore, the safer should be chosen.
— Benjamin Franklin
The vaccine campaign is truly a victim of its own success. It is precisely because vaccines are so effective at preventing illness that we are even discussing whether or not they should be given. Because of vaccines, many of you have never seen a child with polio, tetanus, whooping cough, bacterial meningitis or even chickenpox, or known a friend or family member whose child died of one of these diseases. Such success can make us complacent, or even lazy, about vaccinating. But such an attitude, if it becomes widespread, can only lead to tragic results.
After the publication of an unfounded accusation (later retracted) that the MMR vaccine caused autism in 1998, many people in Europe chose not to vaccinate their children. As a result of under-immunization, there were large outbreaks of measles, and in California, nine deaths in children less than six months of age. Even now, there have been many reports of outbreaks of measles and pertussis in many parts of the country. Again, many of those who contracted the illness — and then passed it on to infants too young to have been fully vaccinated — had made a conscious decision not to vaccinate.
There are also many who do understand the benefits of immunization, but because of unfounded fears of perceived side effects, they rely on the protection of the thousands of others who vaccinate their children. This may decrease the likelihood that their own children will contract one of these diseases. We feel such an attitude is self-centered and unfair.
We are making you aware of these facts not to scare you or coerce you, but to emphasize the importance of vaccinating your child. We recognize that the choice may be a very emotional one for some parents. We will do everything we can to convince you that vaccinating according to the schedule is the right thing to do. However, should you have doubts, please discuss these with your health care provider in advance of your visit.
In some cases, we may alter the schedule to accommodate parental concerns or reservations. Please be advised, however, that delaying or “breaking up the vaccines” to give one or two at a time over two or more visits goes against expert recommendations, can put your child at risk for serious illness (or even death), and goes against our medical advice as providers at Dawson Pediatrics. Such additional visits will require additional co-pays on your part. Furthermore, please realize that you will be required to sign a “Refusal to Vaccinate” acknowledgement in the event of lengthy delays.
All patients in the practice are required to receive a minimum of DTaP, Hib, polio and pneumococcal vaccines by three months of age; all AAP-recommended immunizations by two years of age; and meningococcal vaccine and booster doses of Tdap and varicella by age 12 years.
To those who have not started, or have stopped vaccinating, and want to reconsider: we will work with you to complete or catch up on the immunization series in a timely manner.
Finally, if you should absolutely refuse to vaccinate your child despite all of our efforts, we will ask you to find another health care provider who shares your views. We do not keep a list of such providers, nor would we recommend any such physician. Please recognize that by not vaccinating you are putting your child at unnecessary risk for life-threatening illness and disability, and even death.
As medical professionals, we feel very strongly that vaccinating children on schedule with currently available vaccines is absolutely the right thing to do for all children and young adults. Thank you for taking the time to read this policy — and please feel free to discuss any questions or concerns you may have about vaccines with any one of us.
Questions about vaccines?
We'd rather talk it through than have you wonder. Ask any of us — or see exactly which vaccines are due at each age.