Vaccine Statement
We, the physicians and staff at The Children’s Clinic, believe that childhood vaccination is the most important health-promoting and disease-preventing intervention that we can provide to your child. We firmly believe in the effectiveness and safety of our vaccines and that all children should receive all of the recommended vaccinations according to the schedule published by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. These recommendations are the culmination of years and years of extensive research and data gathering performed by generations of scientists worldwide.
We believe that parents always try to make the best choice for their child. It is often difficult for them to follow the advice of their pediatrician while they are being continually bombarded by information and opinions presented by the media, internet, and perhaps by friends and family, about the “risks” of vaccines. As medically trained physicians, our support for vaccinations is based on many years of scientific study and careful analysis of extensive research, all of which support our belief that the benefits of vaccines far outweigh the risks.
Ironically, vaccines have been so successful in eradicating or reducing certain diseases that many now question whether or not they are necessary. Most of us no longer see children with polio, diphtheria, or tetanus, and rarely do we hear of people contracting meningitis or chickenpox. This has made the public complacent about the importance of vaccines and, unfortunately, has resulted in the resurgence of many of these serious and potentially deadly diseases.
As pediatricians, the health of our patients is our top priority. We see it as our duty to protect EVERY child in our practice. Exposing our patients, especially those too young or those who suffer from serious medical conditions, to unimmunized or partially immunized patients in our clinic (or in the community) is a serious public health threat. If you decide not to follow the recommended vaccine schedule, you will be asked to sign a Vaccine Refusal Form. We will not sign exemption forms for your child’s daycare or school unless there is a valid, documented medical reason why it would be injurious for your child to be immunized.
Click here to be directed to reputable websites for more vaccine information. We are happy to discuss any other concerns you may have.
