More parents are choosing to spread out their children's vaccines, but some pediatricians refuse to see children unless their parents follow the government-recommended immunization schedule.
Dr. Wayne Yankus, a general pediatrician in Ridgewood, N.J., is among a growing number of pediatricians who don't give parents the option of delaying child vaccines.
"These things prevent diseases that we don't have to see anymore," Yankus said.
The Centers for Disease Controls recommends 27 immunizations by a child's second birthday and another six by the time a child turns age 18. Some parents believe that's too frequent and want the option to spread out the vaccinations.
Yasmina Zaidman asked her daughter's pediatrician to slow down her baby's vaccination schedule.
"It just felt right to us, given that she's young and her immune system is developing," Zaidman said.
Yankus argues that the timing can impact the effectiveness of vaccines.
"Although parents have a right to do their children's immunizations as they see fit, they don't have a right to endanger school children," he said.
Mary Barnes, the mother of an 11-year-old boy, said she feels better knowing that everyone else in Yankus' waiting office is right on schedule with their vaccines.
"You know that if you're in the waiting room, the other children sitting near yours are healthy to the best of their capacity," Barnes said.




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Most vaccines are included in a child's well visit, which most insurance companies don't require a co-pay. I have 2 children and have had 2 different insurances since they were born and did not pay co-pays on any of their well visits where they received vaccines. I don't think Medicaid and co-pays has anything to do with why we should vaccinate.
November 8, 2011 3:52 p.m.
Isn't this the purpose of the vaccinations? The immune system is developing, which means it isn't completely developed. If it's not completely developed how can you expect it protect the child against diseases?
Also, aren't doctors the ones who have had the education and training in this? How can we as parents think we know as much or more than they? If that's the case, why go to a doctor to begin with? This is just common sense.
November 8, 2011 12:27 p.m.
November 8, 2011 9:45 a.m.
November 7, 2011 7:29 p.m.
November 7, 2011 2:34 p.m.