Catawba Pediatric Associates
Vaccine Policy Statement
Immunizations are the foundation of preventative health, and we firmly believe that every child needs and deserves the protection that routine immunizations provide. Immunizations are among the most effective medical interventions of all time. Short of basic sanitation and nutrition, no medical intervention has done more to save lives and prevent disease than immunizations.
Our office only follows the immunization schedule recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Centers for Disease Control. Our Pediatricians have vaccinated their own children by these same schedules.
Delayed vaccines, alternative vaccines schedules, and split-up vaccines put children and communities at increased risk for serious illness and goes against our medical advice as Physicians. You will be required to sign a “Refusal to Vaccinate” acknowledgement in the event you refuse to vaccinate your child. We endeavor to keep our patients up-to-date on vaccines at their routine checkups and encourage questions or concerns ahead of time.
Families that choose not to receive all the state-required vaccines will be asked to establish care with another physician practice.
We firmly believe in 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 established by the Centers for Disease Control and the American Academy of Pediatrics.
We firmly believe, based on all available literature, evidence and current studies, that vaccines do not cause autism or other developmental disabilities. We firmly believe that thimerosal, a preservative that has been in vaccines for decades and remains in some vaccines, does not cause autism or other developmental disabilities.
Because of vaccines many of you have not seen a child with polio, tetanus, whooping cough, bacterial meningitis or even chicken pox, or known a friend or family member whose child died of one of these diseases. We are making you aware of this not to scare you or to coerce you, but to emphasize the importance of vaccinating your child. We recognize that the choice may be very emotional for some parents. We will do everything we can to assist in providing education to build your confidence in vaccinating according to the recommended schedule. Should you have doubts we encourage you to discuss your concerns with your pediatrician.
Finally, if you should decide to refuse vaccinating your child despite all our efforts, we will assist you in finding another healthcare provider. By not vaccinating your child you are putting your child at unnecessary risk of life-threatening illness, disability, and possibly death.
