Vaccinating on time is especially important for babies and young children. Their immune systems are still developing, which makes them more likely to get very sick from infections. Delaying vaccines leaves children unprotected when they need protection the most. Vaccines also help protect others in our office, including newborns and infants who are too young to be fully vaccinated. By staying on schedule, families help keep the whole community safe.

We understand that parents may have questions about vaccines, and we are always happy to talk through concerns. Vaccines are tested for many years before being approved and have consistently been shown to be very safe for the vast majority of children. Most side effects are mild, like soreness or a low fever, and go away quickly. Serious side effects are very rare. Multiple studies also show that vaccines do not cause autism and do not overload a child’s immune system. The benefits of vaccines—protecting children from dangerous diseases—are much greater than the small risks.

Because we are committed to protecting all of our patients and the community, Hirsch Pediatrics requires that all current and future patients follow the recommended AAP vaccination schedule, with limited medical exceptions, as detailed below:

• The infant vaccines regularly given at the 2-, 4-, and 6-month appointments must be completed by age 7 months.
  • These vaccines include DTaP (3 doses), Polio (3 doses), Hib (3 doses), Prevnar (3 doses), Rotateq (3 doses) and Hepatitis B (3 doses ).
  • Note though we recommend against it, you may postpone the Hepatitis B vaccine since this is not an easily transmissible disease to young children, and thus withholding the Hepatitis B vaccines does not present a significant risk to other children in the practice or the community.

• The toddler vaccines given at the 12-, 15-, and 18-month appointments must be completed by 18 months.
  • These vaccines include MMR (1 dose), Varivax (1 dose), DTap (1 dose), Hib (1 dose), Prevnar (1 dose), and Hep A (2 doses).

• The young school age vaccines given at age 4 years must be completed by age 5 years.
  • These vaccines include DTaP (1 dose), Polio (1 dose), MMR (1 dose), and Varivax (1 dose).

• The older school age vaccines given at age 11 years must be completed by age 12 years.
  • These vaccines include Meningitis (1 dose) and Tdap (1 dose).
  • Though we strongly recommend your child receive the HPV vaccine (2 doses) at the recommended age, delaying this vaccine does not present a significant risk to other children in the practice or the community.

Being chosen as your family’s pediatrician is a tremendous honor and we take our responsibility to the health and safety of your children very seriously.  Timely vaccination is essential for the long-term health of all eligible children.  Therefore, families who choose not to vaccinate or significantly delay vaccines will be asked to seek care elsewhere.  Requiring timely vaccination for all our patients helps ensure a safe environment for all children in our care and the community, and protects the most vulnerable newborn infants and immunocompromised.

We appreciate your understanding and partnership in keeping your child and our community healthy!