Vaccinations

FrumDoula · Mar 17, 2005

We do have one physician who will dismiss the patient if the parent is unwilling to comply with the immunization schedule.

Does he refer them to a physician who will respect their wishes, or does he simply send them out the door?

I have to admit, I have a problem with a physician who says, "Do it my way or your kid doesn't get health care." That does not allow for truly informed consent or thoughtful decision making on the part of the parent. If the child is dealing with a life threatening injury or illness, it's one thing. But a vaccination that's delayed or not chosen? Puh-leeze.

This philosophy can also make sure that the patient doesn't fully disclose their health condition to their care providers, if they're scared of being dropped for care.

Alison

dd_txrn, ASN, BSN · Mar 18, 2005

Does he refer them to a physician who will respect their wishes, or does he simply send them out the door?
I have to admit, I have a problem with a physician who says, "Do it my way or your kid doesn't get health care." That does not allow for truly informed consent or thoughtful decision making on the part of the parent. If the child is dealing with a life threatening injury or illness, it's one thing. But a vaccination that's delayed or not chosen? Puh-leeze.
This philosophy can also make sure that the patient doesn't fully disclose their health condition to their care providers, if they're scared of being dropped for care.
Alison

It was actually just a point to prove how important our physicians feel immunizations are. Yes, she does refer them to another pediatrician. And no she won't dismiss them if they had a rxn to the immunization. And it isn't just the doctors "way". If the child enrolls in daycare or preschool, in Texas ,they have be current on all immunizations.

FrumDoula · Mar 18, 2005

It was actually just a point to prove how important our physicians feel immunizations are. Yes, she does refer them to another pediatrician. And no she won't dismiss them if they had a rxn to the immunization. And it isn't just the doctors "way". If the child enrolls in daycare or preschool, in Texas ,they have be current on all immunizations.

Your physician may feel it's important, but it's ultimately a patients' or their parents choice to determine the course of treatment and not be unduly coerced into action.

And in the state of Texas, there is a law that allows for philosophical exemptions from immunizations, which parents should be told. A school cannot deny the child an education because the parents have chosen not to vaccinate him or her. Generally speaking, the caveat is that if there's a breakout of illness in the school, the child must stay home until things subside.

I would hope that both physicians and the schools are being frank about this exemption, since it's the law, though somehow I doubt it. I was lied to about immunizations in California, though I should have known better, and the school was responsible for this.

Just because you want a patient to make a certain choice based on your belief system doesn't mean it's ethical to withhold information about the full range of choices that are open to them.

Alison

dd_txrn, ASN, BSN · Mar 18, 2005

Your physician may feel it's important, but it's ultimately a patients' or their parents choice to determine the course of treatment and not be unduly coerced into action.
And in the state of Texas, there is a law that allows for philosophical exemptions from immunizations, which parents should be told. A school cannot deny the child an education because the parents have chosen not to vaccinate him or her. Generally speaking, the caveat is that if there's a breakout of illness in the school, the child must stay home until things subside.
I would hope that both physicians and the schools are being frank about this exemption, since it's the law, though somehow I doubt it. I was lied to about immunizations in California, though I should have known better, and the school was responsible for this.
Just because you want a patient to make a certain choice based on your belief system doesn't mean it's ethical to withhold information about the full range of choices that are open to them.
Alison

Yes,you can be excluded from immunizations, I realize that. But you are making this personal--it is not "my belief system" I have chosen to have all 3 of my kids immunized against the common childhood diseases--including varicella for my youngest. That was my personal choice--you didn't- that was yours.... I am professional at work however and respect the rights of the parents and patients--( I never stated once that I worked for said MD) I was just trying to reply to a thread asking if as nurses we really saw parents deny their kids immunizations. Sorry I have touched a nerve..dd :crying2:

talaxandra · Mar 18, 2005

A friend at high school hadn't been vaccinated for rubella because she was allergic to eggs. At age seventeen, in the middle of the exams period, she contracted rubella and developed encephalitis. After a month in ICU she went to rehab; I've lost contact with her since then, but heard through the old school network that she had some acquired brain injury as a result...

FrumDoula · Mar 18, 2005

Yes,you can be excluded from immunizations, I realize that. But you are making this personal--it is not "my belief system" I have chosen to have all 3 of my kids immunized against the common childhood diseases--including varicella for my youngest. That was my personal choice--you didn't- that was yours.... I am professional at work however and respect the rights of the parents and patients--( I never stated once that I worked for said MD) I was just trying to reply to a thread asking if as nurses we really saw parents deny their kids immunizations. Sorry I have touched a nerve..dd

"You" was meant as health care workers in general, not you the poster. Sorry for the misunderstanding. The point, however, is still a valid one for the health care providers who do this.

Alison

palesarah · Mar 18, 2005

Also I'd much rather my children have lifetime immunity through getting the actual virus - i.e. chicken pox, then getting a shot only to delay the child getting chicken pox ten or twelve years later, at a much more dangerous time to get it.

lol, wish it were that simple... I've had chicken pox THREE times, as a baby, when I was 7, and at 21! None were particularly nasty cases, so I'll probably get it again... my brother and sister also have had it more than once. Funny little virus.