Issue link: http://cp.revolio.com/i/542735
Health and Wellness Magazine • 43 Choice Has Fallout But choosing not to vaccinate children is not parallel to deciding not to have their tonsils removed, pediatricians argue. Not vaccinating affects the entire population, putting those who are too young or too sick to be vaccinated at risk, such as newborns or children undergoing cancer treatments or organ transplants. "That's a huge thing," Stevens says. "It's really our job as a society, as a community, to protect those kids who really cannot be protected." Stevens and Kempe both acknowledge that some pediatricians are taking strong actions, with a few even refusing to treat patients whose parents will not follow the CDC schedule. Other moves include: providing separate waiting areas for non-vaccinated children, having parents sign consents saying they know they are putting their children at risk, and requiring separate visits away from well-care visits for parents questioning vaccines. Many pediatricians report spending about half of their well- baby visits discussing vaccines, Kempe's study found. And that's a problem, Stevens says. "I think it's become a big issue." Well-care visits are crucial for evaluating infant's growth and development and teaching parents about other critical health and safety issues, she says. Parents are letting what Stevens calls "bad information" scare them, and are making poor vaccine decisions with little basis. In Kempe's survey, 43 percent of pediatricians cited "general worries with no specific concerns" as a chief reason for delay requests. Troy has since re-evaluated and had her children caught up on their vaccines, nothing that her pediatrician "seemed relieved." But at least Troy had the choice, Wrangham would say. "The last time I checked, that doctor works for me. Every life is precious, whether it's harmed by disease or vaccine," Wrangham says. "A parent should have the right to make a decision, and that decision should be respected." "It's really our job as a society, as a community, to protect those kids who really cannot be protected." Compassionate. Experienced. Independent. Compassionate. Experienced. Independent. www.MountainMidwifer y.com Rewarding Care from Colorado's Most Experienced Bir Center Natural childbirth and water birth Well-woman care and exams Licensed, accredited and freestanding In-network with major insurance Affordable self-pay plans available Mountain Midwifery Center, Inc 3555 S Clarkson St, Suite 300 Englewood, CO 80113 303-788-0600