To the patients and families of Henley Pediatrics:

In light of recent outbreaks, we are taking this time to create a clear vaccine policy for our clinic. We understand that no policy will meet the needs of all patients, but we feel that the following policy is best suited for our practice, the majority of our patients and their families, and the community at large.

Effective immediately, patients that are non-compliant with the required vaccination schedule will be dismissed from Henley Pediatrics. New patients that are unvaccinated by choice and are wanting to establish will not be allowed to establish with our practice. For patients that want to vaccinate on a limited or delayed basis, a written schedule must be prepared by the patient’s legal guardian and then approved by the physician.

Please note there is no approved “delayed schedule”, and the providers of Henley Pediatrics will not be responsible for creating one if desired.

To those currently in our practice that are unvaccinated, please know that this policy is not punitive in nature. If you desire to continue receiving care at Henley Pediatrics and agree to a plan to fully vaccinate your child, we are happy to continue providing the same standard of care as before. Should you decline to move forward with vaccination, please know that we have enjoyed caring for your child and wish you well. Consideration for exemption to this policy will be given to those that have a long-standing relationship with their provider. Please submit an exemption request in writing should you wish to stay with the practice. Upon receipt of this policy, vaccine-refusal patients will be dismissed from the practice. Emergency care and continuation of care will continue for 30 days (60 days for newborns that establish at birth.) If you need assistance establishing with a new provider (Healthy Connections, CHI Pediatrics, Health Star) please let us know. We are happy to transfer records free of charge.

To those currently in our practice that are fully vaccinated, we affirm and support your decision. We strive to make this a safer environment for you and improve the health of our community.

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As the vaccine compliance policy represents an abrupt enforcement of prior concerns that have been discussed in detail, we offer the following brief explanation of the thoughts and feelings behind the policy. At Henley Pediatrics, we believe that vaccines are the single most important service that we offer. This belief is based upon the fact that vaccines prevent 3.5-5 million child deaths every year worldwide (estimated 154 million lives saved over the past 50 years, 101 million of which are infants, 94 million of which saved by the measles vaccine alone.) Complacency in many developed nations, including our own, have led many to feel that vaccines really are no longer needed. The fundamental beliefs of our practice and the anti-vax community are therefore antithetical in nature and cannot coexist in a therapeutic relationship.

We value and respect the concerns of our patients and their families, but current scientific evidence from an overwhelming preponderance of studies definitively shows that vaccines are safe, vaccines are effective, and vaccines are needed as the cornerstone of public health. Several myths exist regarding vaccines, and the following statements of fact need to be noted:

-        Vaccines do not cause autism. That concern was originally based upon a fraudulent study published in the late 1990’s by a British gastroenterologist selling alternative medicine products. The study was retracted, and his license was revoked.

-        Aluminum in vaccines does not cause any harm as the serum level of aluminum does not increase in any manner post vaccination; absorbed aluminum is bound by transferrin and excreted by the kidneys.

-        No required childhood vaccine contains thimerosal (even though the mercury content was not considered dangerous [ethyl mercury vs methyl mercury], it was removed by the FDA in 1999 as a precautionary measure.)

-        A single apple contains more formaldehyde than any vaccine.

-        There is no link between SIDS and any vaccine.

-        Children are not exposed to more antigens with today’s vaccine schedule. In the 1980’s, the routine vaccination schedule contained >3,000 antigens; today’s schedule contains approximately 185.

-        All vaccines must complete and pass all four phases of clinical trials (the same process as all approved medications.) If a vaccine does not demonstrate both safety and efficacy, the vaccine is not approved. For example, a recent vaccine for RSV showed increased severity of illness in infants that had received the vaccine and then were infected with RSV; this vaccine was not approved and never reached the market for use.

-        Physicians, including the board-certified pediatricians of Henley Pediatrics, do not receive any financial incentives or “kickbacks” from the pharmaceutical companies or manufactures (statutes are in place to make that very illegal.)

Misinformation, fear mongering, and ulterior motives have led many to develop the above-mentioned concerns. Unfounded mistrust and confirmation bias have led many to further believe these concerns.

From a philosophical standpoint, we believe that patients have a right to determine their care and make decisions, but we also believe that we have an equal right to limit our practice as we see fit within the proper boundaries. As we have respected you, we ask for that same level of respect in return. We as a practice are concerned that our kindness to those refusing vaccines has been misconstrued as approval. With growing numbers of vaccine refusal, we have felt the need to dispel the myth of approval and then further create an environment of public safety for our patients that are upholding their end of the social contract in terms of public health and vaccination. While some may decry this policy as “unfair” to those that desire to refuse vaccines, we feel it is significantly more unfair (and dangerous) to potentially expose patients that are unable to be vaccinated for medical reasons or age limitations to a patient with a vaccine preventable illness. The 1-month-old baby unable to be protected from pertussis should not been exposed by those refusing to protect themselves and others. The 9-month-old that has waning measles immunity but is not yet vaccinated (MMR at 12 months) should not have the potential exposure in our clinic. The refusal of vaccines has been cited as a “personal choice,” but unfortunately, the ramifications extend beyond the person. The choice to not protect oneself or child ultimately places others at risk.

We know the vaccination compliance policy with be decried by some and celebrated by others. Our wish would be for all agree with the science of vaccines and for our community to achieve 100% vaccination rates. We understand those wishes are unrealistic in our current societal climate and are trying to make the best choice for our patients and our practice. Thank you for your time reading the policy and the beliefs behind it. Whether a patient of Henley Pediatrics or another practice in our community, we wish you well and the best of health.

Sincerely,

Dr. Eric Henley & Dr. Zane Henley