OUR VACCINE POLICY
Fifth Avenue Pediatrics is dedicated to providing the best and safest healthcare to our patients. We firmly believe in the effectiveness of vaccines to prevent serious illness and to save lives.
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Our practice follows the immunization schedule established by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and approved by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
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We firmly believe in the safety of vaccines. We believe, based on all available literature, evidence and current studies, that vaccines do not cause autism, other developmental disabilities or harm.
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We firmly believe that vaccinating children and young adults may be the single most important intervention we perform as healthcare providers, and that you can perform as parents/caregivers.
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We expect all patients in our practice to be fully immunized, unless medically contraindicated.
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We want to emphasize the importance of vaccinating your child. We recognize that the choice may be a very emotional one for some parents. Should you have doubts, please discuss these with your healthcare provider in advance of your visit.
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Refusal of vaccinations indicates a significant difference of philosophy of care in our doctor-patient relationship. Please recognize that by not vaccinating you are putting your child at unnecessary risk for life-threatening illness and disability, and even death. If you are unwilling to obtain the required vaccines for your child despite all our efforts, we will with great reluctance send you a letter discharging your child(ren) from our care and ask you to find another healthcare provider who shares your views. We do not keep a list of such providers nor would we recommend any such physician. It is our hope that no patient is discharged from our practice due to vaccine refusal.
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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.
Sincerely,
Fifth Avenue Pediatrics
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Find Vaccine Education Here:
American Academy of Pediatrics
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
ACIP Best Practice Guidelines for Immunization
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