We firmly believe in evidence based 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, adolescents and young adults should receive ALL of the recommended vaccines according to the schedule published by the Centers for Disease Control and the American Academy of Pediatrics.

We firmly believe that vaccinating children, adolescents and young adults may be the single most important health-promoting intervention that we perform as health care providers, and that the parents/guardians of our patients can perform as caregivers. The recommended vaccines, and the schedule in which they are given, are the results of decades of continuous scientific study and data-gathering on millions of patients, by thousands of scientists and physicians.

We recognize that vaccines are truly victims of their own success. It is precisely because vaccines are so effective at preventing illness that the question of “do I need to vaccinate” even comes up. Because of the success of vaccines, most people have never seen a case of polio, tetanus, diphtheria, mumps, or even whooping cough or chicken pox, let alone known a friend or family member who has had a child die from one of these diseases. Such widespread success can make society complacent or even lazy about vaccinating on schedule, or even vaccinating at all. Unfortunately, such an attitude, if it becomes widespread, is what has caused a resurgence of some of these diseases, some of which were considered eradicated in the United States. We are seeing an increase in the number of chickenpox cases, mumps and whooping cough have returned, and several places (including our own county) have experienced measles outbreaks.

We recognize that there has always been and will likely always be controversy surrounding vaccination, fueled by unfounded suspicions (later retracted) regarding links between vaccines and other illnesses or developmental issues, perpetuated by media spreading non-scientific information. We firmly believe in all of the available literature, evidence and studies (accumulating data from millions of children) that show that vaccines do not cause autism, developmental delays, or are otherwise harmful to the growth and development of patients.

We recognize that the choice to vaccinate must be made with each parent/caregiver, and can be an emotional discussion. We are happy to discuss all aspects of vaccination, and are willing and eager to address any questions, concerns or doubts you may have. We will do everything we can to promote the fact that vaccinating according to the CDC and AAP schedule is the appropriate medical decision. Delaying or “breaking up the vaccines” goes against all expert recommendations, has no scientific backing (indeed no studies have ever been done to prove the safety of vaccinating off-schedule), can put patients and those around them at risk for serious illness (including death), and goes against our medical advice as providers as well as going against our vaccine policy.

If you as a parent/caregiver should decide against vaccinating your child(ren), we do ask that you find another health care provider that shares these views. We do not keep a list of such providers. We firmly believe that not vaccinating puts your child at unnecessary risk for life-threatening illness and disability, and even death.

As medical professionals, we feel very strongly that vaccinating children, adolescents and young adults based on the scientifically backed schedule, with all currently available vaccines, is absolutely the right medical decision for all of our patients. This includes the Vitamin K injection at birth. Please feel free to discuss any questions or concerns you may have about vaccines or this policy with any of our staff.

Sincerely,
Nancy Mannisto, MD
Pooja Tangri, MD
Jenny Folcik-Gerken, MD
Linda Johnson, MS NP-C
Alyssia Moore, PAC
Elizabeth Stahl, PAC