Immunizations
Our practice believes that all children should receive the recommended vaccines according to the guidelines provided by the AAP and the CDC. Vaccines are safe and effective in preventing diseases and health complications in children and young adults. Regular vaccinations help children ward off infections, and are administered as one of the safest and best methods of disease prevention.
Recently there has been a trend of unjustified fear of vaccination side effects. While we recognize and respect the parent’s role as the ultimate decision-maker for their child’s healthcare, we are professionally uncomfortable caring for children who will not receive a minimal set of vaccines. Click below to see our vaccine refusal policy.
We are happy to discuss your concerns about vaccines at your child's next visit. On this page you will find our Immunization Schedule, Vaccine Resources, Information for Skeptical Parents and our Vaccine Refusal Policy.
Recommended Immunization Schedule
| Birth |
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| 1 Month |
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| 2 Months | |
| 4 Months | |
| 6 Months | |
| 9 Months |
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| 12 Months |
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| 15 Months | |
| 18 Months | |
| 24 Months |
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| 3 Years |
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| 4 Years | |
| 5 Years | |
| 10 or 11 Year |
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| 11 Year |
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| 11-13 Years |
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| 16 Year |
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Vaccine Resources
This section has useful information from trusted resources such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, and combinations of each.
CDC's new Vaccine Safety Website (October 2015)- This site includes new and updated content and resources, and was designed to provide a better user experience on all types of devices.
CDC and AAP- Recommended Routine Vaccine Schedules"Easy-to-read Version" - Ages 0-6, Ages 7-18
CDC 2013 Recommended Routine Vaccine Schedule for Persons Aged 0 Through 18 years (More Detailed, Provider version)
CDC - Immunizations Website – Information for Healthcare Professionals and Patients- A great resource for information related to all aspects of vaccine information. Designed for both healthcare professionals and patients.
CDC - For Parents- Vaccines for Your Children - A useful resource for information about childhood vaccines designed with the parent in mind.
CDC Parents Guide to Immunizations- A 68 page booklet that can be ordered or printed directly from this website.
American Academy of Pediatrics - Immunization Information for Families-This is the AAP’s vaccine resource page for parents, including information on the safety and importance of vaccines, as well as misconceptions, FAQs, and a wealth of other information.
Vaccine Information Statements (VIS)
These are the patient handouts developed by the CDC which explain each of the vaccines and the diseases they prevent.
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Vaccine Education Center
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia is a respected source of information on vaccines, and has developed this comprehensive vaccine resource website.
Immunization Action Coalition: Vaccine Information for Heathcare Professionals
This is a comprehensive vaccine information site, designed for healthcare professionals but useful also for patients and parents.
A campaign launched by “Every Child by Two”, an organization devoted to raising awareness of the critical need for timely immunizations.
Vaccine Safety: The Facts A brief fact sheet on vaccines from the AAP
For detailed informational sheets published by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) please visit www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/vis.
Information for Skeptical parents:
Too Many Too Soon: The Anti-Vaccine Fallacy- Academic Earth. 2013
An Epidemic of Fear: How Panicked Parents Skipping Shots Endagers Us All
"To hear his enemies talk, you might think Paul Offit is the most hated man in America..." This is a well-written article focused on Paul Offit, MD, who boldly refutes the anti-immunization movement. From Wired Magazine, October 2009.
What's the Real Story on the Vaccine Debate?
Another article in the same magazine issue, with useful links and information.
The Problem With Dr. Bob's Alternative Vaccine Schedule
This article reviews Dr. Sear’s book on alternative vaccine schedules, discussing the flaws in his logic, as well as misinformation contained in his book that may lead parents to make the wrong decisions for their children.
Cashing in On Fear: The Danger of Dr. Sears
This is a more thorough and detailed critique of Dr. Sears' approach.
Vaccines and Autism: A Tale of Shifting Hypotheses
This 2008 article by Gerber and Offit addresses parental concerns about vaccines, examining and discussing hypotheses about MMR vaccine, thimerosal, and multiple-vaccine administration.
Facts for Parents about Vaccine Safety
This letter from the AAP addresses vaccine safety, autism, and other concerns.
Mercury, Thimerosal and Vaccines
This is the CDCs statement and information page, explaining the safety of vaccines and addressing these concerns.
Here Be Dragons: An Introduction to Critical Thinking
Too Many Vaccines? What You Should Know
Information from the Vaccine Education Center at Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia
Vaccines and Autism
From the Vaccine Education Center at Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia
Flu Vaccine Myths and Realities
Assistant Surgeon General Dr. Anne Schuchat dispels myths about the H1N1 flu virus
Vaccine Refusal Policy (Printer friendly Version)
We at Coastal Children’s Clinic are dedicated to providing the best care that we can for our patients. To achieve this goal effectively, we must be able to enter into a partnership based on mutual trust with the parents of our patients. Recently, there has been a trend of unjustified fear of side effects from vaccines by well-meaning parents. We believe that immunizations are one of the most important health interventions a parent can provide for their children, and we want all of our patients to benefit from this modern lifesaving tool.
While we recognize and respect the parents’ role as the ultimate decision maker for their child’s healthcare, we believe strongly that we are obligated to deliver the best and safest healthcare possible for our patients and our community. We feel professionally uncomfortable caring for children who will not receive at least a minimal set of vaccinations. These preventable diseases can and do cause severe illness, brain damage and death. Although we strongly support all recommended vaccines, there are four vaccine series that we must insist that our patients receive in a timely manner to remain in our practice.
The minimal four vaccines are: Diptheria, Tetanus and Acellular Pertussis (DTaP); Hemophilus Influenza Type B (Hib); Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) and Pneumoccocal Conjugate Vaccine (Prevnar).
We hope that you take the time to read quality papers and internet sites about the benefits of vaccines. The best internet site for vaccine education can be found at www.vaccine.chop.edu, which is hosted by one of the most respected children’s hospitals in the country, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. The federal government also maintains an informative site at the CDC web site: www.cdc.gov/vaccines. Our providers and staff are pleased to answer any questions in person or loan you a videotape / DVD that was developed by The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
We hope that you will review the accurate information about immunizations here, as well as on respected internet sites and consider allowing your child(ren) to receive this important protection. These and all other childhood vaccines are available through our office at modest cost, or through the local county health department at no charge.
As a group practice, we feel we must implement a consistent policy in regard to Parental Refusal Of Immunizations. Refusal of these four vaccinations indicates a significant difference in philosophy of care, and, in such circumstances, it would be best that we terminate our doctor-patient relationship. It is our hope that no patient is discharged from our practice due to vaccine refusal.
