Dear Bramblebush Patients and Families,
At Bramblebush Pediatrics, we are committed to the health and well-being of all our patients. Vaccines are one of the most effective tools we have to prevent serious illness and protect public health. Our vaccine policy is based on the immunization schedule recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
Our Policy
- Because we are committed to protecting the health of your children through vaccination, we require all our patients to be vaccinated in accordance with the schedule set forth in this policy. All school vaccines must be received according to the schedule recommended. All vaccines are strongly encouraged by the entire Bramblebush Pediatrics team. New Incoming families will be required to vaccinate according to the schedule recommended by the AAP including HPV. Influenza and Covid do not fall under the vaccine policy for new or current families.
- If you have doubts regarding vaccination, please discuss these with your healthcare provider. We are committed to engaging in discussions to explain the benefits of vaccination.
- In some cases, we may alter the vaccination schedule to accommodate parental concerns or reservations. Please be advised however that delaying vaccines to give one or two at a time over two or more visits goes against expert recommendations can put your child at risk for serious illness (or even death) and goes against or medical advice. Additional visits for vaccination will also require additional copays and you part. Please realize you will also be required to sign a refusal to vaccinate acknowledgement in the event of lengthy delays. Delayed immunization schedule leave infants and children at risk for preventable infections and presents opportunity for error. It is the responsibility of the parent to track the vaccine schedule and to inform any care giver if the child is completely immunized. The fever work up for an under immunized child may differ from that of a child immunized according to schedule.
- Finally, if you should refuse to vaccinate your child despite all our efforts we will another healthcare provider you shares you view.
Time-specific Guidelines
New patients to the practice must have up to date immunizations for age according to the AAP schedule or be working towards catch up.
Children by 20 months are required to have the following:
- 4th DTaP
- 4th PCV 20
- 1st MMR
- 1st
Varicella
Children by 5 years are required to have the following:
- 5th DTaP
- 2nd MMR
- 2Nd Varicella
- 4th Polio
Adolescents by 13 years are required to have the following:
- 2nd HPV
- 1st Tdap
- 1st Meningococcal
Adolescents by 16 years are required to have the following:
2nd Meningococcal
Newborns must be:
- Vaccinated according to schedule
At 2,4 and 6 months.
Why This Policy?
- Vaccines are safe and effective, backed by decades of research and millions of data points.
- Delaying or skipping vaccines increases the risk of preventable diseases, especially for vulnerable populations like infants, immunocompromised children, and the elderly.
- Maintaining a fully vaccinated patient population helps protect our entire community.
Your Role
- Please bring your child to each visit. Starting at Birth, 1-,2-,4-,6-,9-,15-,18- and 24-month checkups and yearly after that.
- Stay informed about upcoming vaccines and booster requirements.
- Contact us with any questions or concerns—we are here to support you.
We appreciate your partnership in keeping our community healthy and safe.