In the past several decades, many important vaccines have been created to improve the health of children and prevent life threatening diseases from harming them. Although some of these serious illnesses such as measles and polio have almost been eradicated, they can still threaten our health both individually and collectively, and need to be prevented through vaccinations.

Pediatric vaccines create immunity in 70 - 90% of children. Booster shots are often recommended when the protection from contracting a given disease falls to a 70% level or below. Immunizations prevent health risks in children, minimize the exposure of existing diseases, and gives your child a better chance of growing strong and healthy with a strong immune system.

Are Vaccines Safe?

Our team at East Haven Pediatrics understands that you, as a parent, want what is best for your child. There is a lot of information available today on the risks and benefits of vaccines, and we want to help you make a decision informed by trusted facts and proven medical science that will keep your child and the community you live in healthy.

Our team believes that all the vaccines we use are effective and safe or we wouldn't require them. Any minor risk of side effects from vaccines is greatly outweighed by the protective effect they have against potentially devastating illnesses for the individual and their community. Vaccines must meet the highest standards of safety. Multiple medical studies performed by reputable organizations and laboratories fail to show any correlation between vaccines and autism or other developmental problems.

 

 

***As of January 1, 2020, East Haven Pediatrics will no longer see existing patients or accept new patients whose parents/guardians refuse to vaccinate their child.  Immunizations are an integral foundation of pediatric practice. East Haven Pediatrics philosophy of care is to provide comprehensive, safe and evidence based care to all of our patients.

Our new policy has been implemented for a number of reasons. The American Academy of Pediatrics strongly endorses universal immunization.  Unimmunized children pose a risk to other children who lack immunity to vaccine preventable infections (ex. unimmunized infants, immunocompromised children, children undergoing chemotherapy). In addition, the State of Connecticut mandates vaccination for children who attend daycare or public schools.

Communication and trust are key components to any provider-patient relationship. The providers at East Haven Pediatrics are committed to the safety and well-being of your child.  As always, we are here to answer any question or concerns you may have regarding this new policy or any issue regarding the care of your child. We want to spend time and talk about vaccines with you. Our goal is the same as yours – to raise happy and healthy children in an environment that is safe.

Scheduling Your Child's Immunization

Vaccinating children and young adults may be the single most important health-promoting intervention we perform as your child’s health care providers. Our team at East Haven Pediatrics will work with you, the parent/ legal guardian, to create an immunization schedule that is both safe and comfortable for your family.

Please call our team today at 203-469-8882 to discuss an immunization schedule for your child or if you would like to learn more about each vaccine we recommend.