Some pediatricians refuse to treat children if parents refuse vaccines, studies show


More than half of all pediatric offices in the United States are funded by the medical journal JAMA. The new study, published in, includes a dismissal policy for families who refuse to vaccinate their children. Some physicians say the home policy is a way for parents to encourage their children to be vaccinated, while many use it as a protection against unvaccinated children who put their other patients at risk.

“This study of U.S. pediatricians found that the practice of dismissing families who refused vaccinations for their children was common, while half of pediatricians reported their office fees, yet fewer patients have a policy of dismissal,” the university researchers said. Said in a study conducted by. Colorado Unschutz Medical Campus which was released on Tuesday.

Researchers in the U.S. Pediatricians conducted a survey between April and July 2019 that evaluated their current practices, experiences, and office fee policies regarding the dismissal of families who refuse vaccinations or say “spread”.

More than half – 51% – of the 303 pediatricians involved in the research reported that families had a policy of dismissal if their vaccination was denied. However, only 37% of people have reported this themselves.

This number was higher than a similar study conducted in 2015, in which only 21% of pediatricians reported that they often or always dismiss families for refusing the vaccine.

Refusal can change parents’ thoughts

Families were fired more often than vaccinated (37%) by doctors for spreading the vaccine (6%), which was spelled out in similar pattern fee policies.

The CDC report states that even children with no symptoms can spread Covid-19

Of the 154 physicians who reported that they had ever fired families for refusing a vaccine, 18% said families always or often change their mind and agree to vaccination after hearing about the policy.

Dismissal policies are less likely than private transactions in community and hospital-based clinic / health care organization settings. Dismissal policies were also low in private practice in the Midwest.

“Because denial of the vaccine is common, the rate of dismissal is very important for families who refuse,” the researchers said.

“The future performance of the effect of this practice on vaccination rates should be explored, even if the parents have changed their minds about vaccination, and it reduces access to medical care or reduces trust in the clinician.”

An anxious attitude

Probably a shot of the coronavirus vaccine.  Will not be enough
A report released in May by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said “there was a regular decline in childhood vaccinations as a result of families living at home.”
Both the CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics are urging parents to keep their children’s vaccines up-to-date during epidemics. Shortly after the report, the AAP issued its guidelines for pediatricians to reduce parents’ fears about bringing their child into office fees.

“We know parents are concerned,” said AAP chairman Dr. Sally Goza said in a statement issued in May.

“We want to reassure all our families that pediatricians have innovated ways to make visits safer, including arranging different hours or places for good and sick children, rigorous cleaning practices and parts of visits through telehealth.”

Pediatricians should work with families to bring children up to date and identify them on the vaccine as soon as possible, he added.

According to the CDC, the age-prescribed vaccine is:

Birth: Within the first 12 hours of life, all children should get their first dose of hepatitis B vaccine.
1 to 2 months: During this time, the child needs a second dose of the hepatitis B (Hepby) vaccine as well as the first dose of the vaccine for the following:
  • Diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough (or pertussis) (DTAP)
  • Haemophilus influenzae type b disease (Hib)
  • Polio (IPV)
  • Pneumococcal disease (PCV13)
  • Rotavirus (RV)
4 months: The second dose is for the following vaccines:
  • Diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough (or pertussis) (DTAP)
  • Haemophilus influenzae type b disease (Hib)
  • Polio (IPV)
  • Pneumococcal disease (PCV13)
  • Rotavirus (RV)
6 months: Babies over 6 months need a flu shot if it is the influenza season – from about September to March. Flu is fatal: Outbreaks of flu killed 830 children in the United States between 2004 and 2012 – many of them otherwise healthy. The third dose of vaccines required at this time includes:
  • Diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough (or pertussis) (DTAP)
  • Haemophilus influenzae type b disease (Hib)
  • Polio (IPV)
  • Pneumococcal disease (PCV13)
  • Rotavirus (RV)
12 to 23 months: Some former vaccines require a fourth dose, but also new vaccines designed to protect a child from serious illnesses:
  • Chickenpox (Varicella) (first dose)
  • Diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough (or pertussis) (DTAP) (4th dose)
  • Haemophilus influenzae type b disease (Hib) (fourth dose)
  • Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) (first dose)
  • Polio (IPV) (3rd dose)
  • Pneumococcal disease (PCV13) (4th dose)
  • Hepatitis A (Hepa) (first dose)
  • Hepatitis B (Hepby) (third dose between 6 months and 18 months)
  • Influenza (required every year)

4 to 6 years: It is time for the second dose of the various flu vaccines launched along with the annual flu shot:

  • Diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough (or pertussis) (DTAP) (fifth dose)
  • Polio (IPV) (4th dose)
  • Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) (second dose)
  • Chickenpox (varicella) (second dose)
7 to 10 years: In addition to the annual flu shot, children in this age group need to take the first dose to protect against human papillomavirus, which can cause cervical cancer, vulva, vagina, penis or anus, as well as head and neck cancer. Some according to the CDC. Millions of Americans, mostly their teens and early 20s, became infected with HPV.

The vaccine can be given to both girls and boys up to the age of 9 years.

Pretense (11 to 12 years): Don’t forget the flu shot every year. Additional vaccines required at this age include:
  • Meningococcal disease (Men’s exercise) (single dose)
  • Human papillomavirus (HPV) (two doses)
  • Titans, diphtheria and whooping cough (or pertussis) (one dose)
Adolescents (13 to 18 years): At age 16, adolescents need to take a second dose of the Meningococcal Conjugate (Men’s AC exercise) vaccine, along with an annual flu shot. If an outbreak of a different type of meningococcal dysentery has been reported in your child’s liver, called serogroup B meningococcal disease, talk to your pediatrician about that subtype of vaccine.

CNN’s Maggie Fox contributed to this report.

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