Our Vaccine Policy

• We firmly believe 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 American Academy of Pediatrics.  
   
• We firmly believe, based on all available literature, evidence and current studies, that vaccines and their preservatives, do not cause autism or other developmental disabilities. We firmly believe that thimerosal, a preservative that has been in vaccines for decades, does not cause autism or lead to other developmental disabilities.  
   
• We firmly believe that vaccinating children and young adults is the single most important health-promoting intervention we perform as parents/caregivers. The recommended vaccines and their schedule are the results 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. The vaccine campaign is truly a victim of its own success. It is precisely because vaccines are so effective in preventing illness that we are even discussing whether or not they should be given. Because of vaccines, many have never seen a child with polio, tetanus, whooping cough, bacterial meningitis, or even chickenpox or known a friend and family member whose child died of one of these diseases. Such success can make us complacent about vaccination.  

We are currently experiencing the benefits of herd immunity due to the high vaccination rates, which could change in the in the future if rates fall. Decreased vaccination rates will lead to breakthrough cases, medical complications and preventable death. Unvaccinated children and children who are unable to be vaccinated due to medical reasons (young age, cancer or other immune compromising conditions) are protected by herd immunity.  

As immunization rates fall, your child will be at increased risk. 

We are making you aware of these facts 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 alleviate any concerns you may have. We are more than happy to be an accurate / dependable resource for vaccine information. We will encourage you to receive vaccines according to the schedule but, 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 recommendation and can put your child at risk for serious illness (or even death) and goes against our medical advice as providers at Suburban Pediatrics. Furthermore, please realize that you will be required to sign a “refusal of vaccinate” acknowledgement in the event of lengthy delays.  

Finally, if you should absolutely refuse to vaccinate your child despite all our conversations, we will ask you to find another healthcare provider who shares your views. 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 your time in reading this policy, and please feel free to discuss any questions or concerns you may have about vaccines with any one of us.