Independent journalist Ivory Hecker reported on Twitter that there is a list of Texas Children’s Pediatrics doctors who are refusing to treat patients not fully vaccinated according to the CDC’s definition of fully vaccinated.
A letter Hecker posted to Twitter and signed by numerous doctors, states the practice has experience an increase in the number of parents refusing vaccinations recommended by the CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics.
“Secondary to this increase in under-immunized or non-immunized children, there has been a surge in outbreaks of vaccine-preventable illnesses,” the letter states. “The decision of individuals not to vaccinate has put all children at risk for potentially life-threatening diseases.”
The providers at Texas Children’s Humble group collectively decided they will require all patients, except those with a medical condition that precludes a child receiving a specific vaccine, to receive vaccinations in accordance with recognized CDC and AAP recommended immunization schedule.
“Our providers agree that vaccinations are safe and that the current vaccination schedule as recommended by the CDC is evidence-based while the risk of not vaccinating may be harmful to our community.”
It goes on to state “effective immediately, we require all our patients to be on the vaccine schedule by six months of age, and our patients must be fully vaccinated by three years of age.”
Parents who do not have their children vaccinated in accordance with CDC guidelines are asked to establish care with another provider who is comfortable caring for an unvaccinated or partially vaccinated child.
Hecker said she reached out to Texas Children’s Hospital for clarification and was told the policy only applies to some Texas Children’s Pediatrics practices, not Texas Children’s Hospital locations.
