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 any 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 this 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

Center for Disease Control and Prevention http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines

http://healthychildren.org/immunizations

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