The effectiveness of vaccines to prevent serious illness and to save lives has been proven beyond any doubt.  For this reason, all children and young adults should receive the vaccines recommended by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). 

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Based on all available literature and current studies, vaccines do not cause autism or other developmental disabilities.  Thimerosal, a preservative that had been in vaccines for decades but is no longer in any vaccine we administer, does not cause autism or other developmental disabilities. 

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Vaccinating children and young adults may be the single most important health-promoting intervention we perform as health care providers.  The recommended vaccines and their schedules are the result of years of scientific study.  Over the past several years, many people have chosen not to vaccinate their children in a timely manner.  As a result of under-immunization, there have been many outbreaks of vaccine preventable disease.  By not vaccinating your child, you are putting your child a risk for serious disease and other children at risk for the disease if they are too young to be vaccinated. 

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Please be advised that delaying or breaking up the vaccines to give one or two at a time is against expert recommendations.  This can put your child at risk for serious illness (or even death) and is against our medical advice as providers at Island Medical Specialists.  If you decide not to vaccinate your child according to the recommended schedule, we request that you find another health care provider who shares your views.  We do not have a list of these providers nor would we recommend any such physician. 

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As medical professionals and your trusted partners in the care of your children, we feel strongly that vaccination on schedule with the currently available vaccines is the right thing to do for all children and young adults. 

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