• Vaccine Policy Statement

  • Principle:

  • This policy describes the process to meet recommended and required guidelines for pediatric vaccine administration in a longitudinal health maintenance setting.

  • Scope:

  • This policy applies to all patients born or entering the practice as a new patient after 09/01/2016.

  • Clinical Significance:

    • Vaccines are safe.
    • Vaccines are effective in preventing serious illness and saving lives.
    • All children and young adults should receive all recommended vaccines in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and American Academy Of Pediatrics (AAP)
    • Based on all available literature, evidence, and current scientific studies: vaccines or their preservatives do not cause Autism or other developmental disabilities.
    • Vaccinating children and young adults is the single most important health promoting intervention we perform as healthcare providers, and that you can perform as parents/caregivers. The recommended vaccines and vaccine schedule are a result of many years of scientific study and data gathered about millions of children by thousands of our brightest scientist and physicians.
    • By asking patients to be fully vaccinated, we are able to protect all of our patients- including those that are too young or medically unable to receive all of their vaccines yet.
  • Implementation:

    • By 2 years of age, all patients in the practice are required to receive the recommended immunizations according to the CDC/AAP Vaccine Schedule.
    • The state of Illinois also requires certain vaccines to be given to children entering kindergarten, 6th grade, and 9th grade.
    • If you have questions, please discuss these with your healthcare provider. Your provider will make every effort to work with you and answer all of your questions over the course of 3 visits. If you refuse to vaccinate, your provider will follow the following steps below:
  • Refusal:

    • You will be required to sign a refusal to vaccinate acknowledgment and thi s policy statement at every wellness visit.
    • Following the initial refusal to vaccinate visit, 2 more appointments will be scheduled 2 weeks apart to accommodate delayed vaccinations and address any concerns you have about vaccination your child.
    • If you should choose to refuse to vaccinate your child after 3 visits, you may be advised to find a healthcare provider who shares your views.
    • We do not keep a list of such providers.
  •  Although dismissing you from our practice is regarded as a last resort for our providers:

    • Please recognize that by you not vaccinating, your child is at unnecessary risk for life-threatening illness, disability, and even death.
    • You also unnecessarily place other children that may come in contact with your unvaccinated child at risk for life threatening illness, disability, and even death.
  • 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 our providers.

  • American Academy of Pediatrics

    http://www.2.aap.org/immunization/families/safety.html

  • http://healthychildren.org/immunizations

  • Center for Disease Control and Prevention

    http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines

  • I have read the policy and understand the practices views on caring for my unvaccinated child: Both Patient Name:

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