Forever Kids Pediatric Clinic Vaccine Policy Statement
At Forever Kids Pediatric Clinic, we firmly believe
in the effectiveness of vaccines to prevent serious illness and to save lives;
in the safety of our vaccines;
that all children and young adults should receive all of the recommended vaccines according to the schedule published by the Centers for Disease Control and the American Academy of Pediatrics;
based on all available literature, evidence and current studies, that vaccines do not cause autism or other developmental disabilities;
those vaccinations may be the single most important intervention we perform as health care providers and the most important health intervention that you choose for your children. The recommended vaccines and the published schedule are the results of years of scientific study and the accumulation of data on millions of children by the brightest scientists and physicians in our country.
Unfortunately, the vaccine campaign is truly a victim of its own success. It is precisely because vaccines are so effective at preventing illness that parents are discussing whether or not they should be given. Because of vaccines, most parents have never seen a child with polio, tetanus, whooping cough, bacterial meningitis or even chickenpox; most people have never heard of a friend or family member who died from one of these diseases. Such successes can make us complacent about the need for vaccination. However, as such opinions have become more widespread, we are witnessing the resurgence of many of these diseases. Unfortunately, this will likely lead to tragic results.
We present these facts not to scare or coerce you, but to emphasize the importance of vaccinating your child.
We recognize that the choice may be an emotional one, and we will try our best to address your concerns and help explain that vaccinations are in the best interest of your child and the community as a whole.
In some cases, we will consider altering the schedule to accommodate parental reservations. However, please be advised that modifying the schedule to give only one or two vaccines at a time goes against expert recommendation and can put your child at risk for serious illness or even death. If your child is not fully vaccinated, be aware that your child may require more invasive testing in the event of illness. Also, your child will be at risk if you travel internationally because many other countries have higher incidences of vaccine-preventable diseases.