Alternative Vaccine Schedule Policy
If you have not already viewed our core beliefs and policies regarding the recommended immunization schedule from the CDC and AAP, please
click here.
As described in our vaccine policy page, we, at Pediatric Wizards, strongly support the recommended vaccine schedule. Increasingly, we are being asked to withhold routine vaccines or give vaccines on an “alternate” schedule. Please be advised that delaying or "splitting up the vaccines" to give one or two vaccines at a time, over two or more additional visits, goes against expert recommendations and may put your child at risk for serious illness or even death. This sort of vaccine splitting or delay goes against our medical advice as providers at Pediatric Wizards.
In some instances, we may agree to alter the recommended immunization schedule with the following requirements in place:
- You understand that variation from the recommended immunization schedule may require additional visits to the office for your child and may require additional insurance co-pays. Some insurance companies will not pay for extra visits due to split vaccinations. The parent is responsible for all costs not covered by the insurer.
- You will provide us with a written plan for immunizations for your child that will become part of their medical record.
- You will include in your plan a statement that you understand that your child is not being immunized according to the recommended immunization schedule and is therefore subject to consequences including contracting illnesses that vaccines should prevent.
- You understand that you may re-dress this issue and accept routine immunizations for your child anytime in the future.
As medical professionals, we feel strongly that vaccinating children and adolescents with currently available vaccines on the recommended schedule is absolutely the right thing to do. Thank you for your time in reading this policy. Please feel free to discuss any questions or concerns you may have about vaccines with your child's doctor.