Vaccines

Bluestone Pediatrics’ Vaccine Policy Statement

The Doctors at Bluestone Pediatrics recognize that there has always been and will likely always be controversy surrounding vaccination.  Indeed, Benjamin Franklin was opposed to smallpox vaccine until scientific data convinced him otherwise.  Tragically, he delayed inoculating his favorite son.  Franky contracted smallpox and died at the age of 4, leaving Ben with a lifetime of guilt and remorse.   Mr. Franklin wrote in his autobiography:

“In 1736, I lost one of my sons, a fine boy of four years old, by the smallpox …I long regretted bitterly, and still regret that I had not given it to him by inoculation.  This I mention for the sake of parents who omit that operation, on the supposition that they should never forgive themselves if a child died under it, my example showing that the regret may be the same either way, and that, therefore, the safer be chosen.”

The vaccine campaign is truly a victim of its own success.  It is precisely because vaccines are so effective at preventing illness that we are even discussing whether or not they should be given.  Because of vaccines, many of you have never seen a child with polio, tetanus, whooping cough, bacterial meningitis, or even chickenpox, or known a friend or family member whose child died of one of these diseases.  Such success can make us complacent or even lazy about vaccinating.  But such an attitude, if it becomes widespread, can only lead to tragic results.

We firmly believe that vaccinating children and young adults may be the single most important health-promoting intervention we perform as health care providers, and that you can perform as parents/caregivers.  The recommended vaccines and their recommended schedule are the results of years and years of scientific study and data gathering on millions of children by thousands of our brightest scientists and physicians.

Despite what you may have seen or heard from the media, relatives, or friends; all available literature, evidence, and current medical studies have not found vaccines to cause or contribute to autism or other developmental disabilities.

Thimerasol has not been in any pediatric vaccines for years.  It was removed purely as a precaution and never was shown to cause any problems.

In Summary:

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 published by the Centers of Disease Control and the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Again, if you have any further questions or concerns please ask your child’s doctor at his/her next well visit.

Sincerely,

Amanda Gerber, MD
Paula Max-Wright, MD
Phillip M. Renick, MD
Jennifer Schreck, MD