Vaccines & Vaccine Policy
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Advanced Pediatrics is committed to vaccinating every child on schedule unless a medical contraindication exists.
All the medical providers at Advanced Pediatrics believe strongly in the effectiveness of vaccines in preventing illness and maintaining the health of children and adults. Vaccines simply save lives. This is why we require families of the practice to adhere to the recommended vaccine schedule endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Vaccines are paired with well child visits to provide all the necessary care at one visit.
We’re always happy to answer any questions, or to discuss any concerns, you may have about vaccines. We will do everything we can to support families, and to help you understand that vaccinating according to the schedule is the right thing to do. In a snapshot, these are our reasons for requiring vaccinations on schedule:
We understand that controversy has followed vaccines since their inception, and that it will likely continue to surround them. This does not change the facts or the scientific evidence about the safety and tremendous effectiveness of immunizations. We are happy to speak with you regarding why certain vaccines are chosen for the schedule by experts in medicine and what side effects might be expected with each vaccine.
What Are Vaccines?
Vaccines provide your child’s immune system with a training course in fighting off a range of different diseases. Research shows that not only do vaccines effectively protect individuals against serious infection, but they also protect entire communities and societies from infectious diseases.
Vaccines are injectable substances that trigger your immune system to fight off infection. The process of developing this protection is referred to as immunization. Herd immunity is the term used to describe what occurs when the majority of any given population receives vaccines for a particular disease.
When most people in a community are vaccinated, that disease has nowhere to set up shop. This limits the ability of the pathogen to spread from one person to the next and therefore prevents spread throughout the group.How Do Vaccines Work?
The best way to understand how vaccines work is to think about how your immune system naturally fights off disease. When you encounter a specific virus, bacteria, or fungus (antigens), your body launches a swift response, creating antibodies to battle that specific antigen.
This process only needs to occur once to develop everything needed to fight off that same antigen for life. Some vaccines require boosters to create optimal immunity. Your immune system does all this work naturally, but it takes a few days to complete the full process. The problem is some diseases are so strong that they can overwhelm you before you develop immunity.
Vaccines work by using a very small volume or a weakened version of an antigen to stimulate your natural immune response without making you sick.Are Vaccines Safe?
The scientific evidence makes it very clear that not only are vaccines safe, but they also prevent innumerable needless deaths around the world. There’s no reason for parents to feel anxious or concerned about having their children vaccinated.
In fact, the team at Advanced Pediatrics feels so strongly about the power of vaccines to preserve health that each and every team member is vaccinated according to the schedule outlined by the nation’s top health authorities.
Adhering to the established vaccine schedule is a requirement to receive services at Advanced Pediatrics. Parents who have questions or concerns about vaccines are welcome to speak with a pediatrician to learn more.
Booking a visit is as simple as a phone call or a few moments online, so make today the day you take action to protect your child from many forms of infectious disease.
Vaccine Information Statements
Why Vaccines Are So Important?
Likely you have never encountered a small infant hospitalized with whooping cough, or even known a child with bacterial meningitis. This is because of the extraordinary success of vaccines. But these illnesses will and continue to occur as parents elect not to vaccinate their children and expose others, such as newborns, who cannot be vaccinated. We will continue to advocate for immunizations which protect not only the child receiving them, but also the greater community as a whole.
What Vaccines Are Required For School?
As defined in the Code of Virginia, the Commonwealth of Virginia requires certain vaccinations for school entry at various ages. As of 2021, the state updated its list of required vaccinations to include those that were previously just highly recommended. The Hepatitis A series, HPV series and Meningitis ACYW series are now required for school participation at various ages. We have always recommended these vaccinations, so there is a good chance your child is up to date with these. Check the portal to confirm your child's vaccination records.
Learn MoreWhat About An Alternative Vaccine Schedule?
We recognize and respect a parent’s role as the ultimate decision maker for a child’s healthcare. We also believe strongly that we are obligated to deliver the best and safest healthcare possible for our patients and ensure the safety of all of our patients including those in our waiting rooms and exam rooms. Vaccines are critical to achieving this goal. For those electing an alternative schedule we encourage you to seek a practice that better fits your needs. If you have questions about vaccines we are happy to answer them and navigate you through the evidence that demonstrates they are safe, effective and important.