A Doctor Left A Notice Explaining Why Patients Who Haven't Vaccinated Their Kids Won't Be Accepted

The only human disease ever eradicated was smallpox, and it was eradicated using a vaccine. Back in the 18th century, scientist Edward Jenner followed up his observation that dairy workers that had contracted a relatively mild cowpox infection were immune to the deadly smallpox virus. In 1796, Jenner performed his first vaccination on James Phipps, his gardener’s 8-year-old son. He inoculated Phipps in both arms, making Phipps develop a fever and some uneasiness, but no full-blown infection.

Later, Jenner injected Phipps with a variolous material, and no disease followed. The boy was then challenged with variolous material once again, and, like the first time, demonstrated no sign of infection. He successfully repeated the test on 23 other subjects, including his 11-month-old son. Now, he is referred to as “the father of immunology,” and his work has “saved more lives than the work of any other human.”

Few public health measures can be compared to vaccines. Vaccinations have reduced disability, disease, and death from a range of infectious diseases. Along with saving lives, vaccination has resulted in economic benefits to societies, amounting to almost $69 billion in the US alone. A recent economic analysis of ten vaccines for 94 countries estimated that a $34 billion immunization investment resulted in savings of $586 billion in lowering costs of illness and $1.53 trillion when broader economic benefits were included. However, despite the overwhelming abundance of evidence, some people choose not to vaccinate their children.

In response, Dr. Charles Goodman and some other doctors are adopting a new policy. They'll no longer see children nor their parents who do not get them vaccinated. “Parents who choose not to give measles shots, they’re not just putting their kids at risk, but they’re also putting other kids at risk — especially kids in my waiting room,” said Dr. Goodman.

As doctors keep on “firing” patients who falsely believe debunked research linking vaccines to autism, several mothers who have been dropped feel “betrayed and upset.” Dotty Hagmier, the founder of the support group Moms in Charge, said that these parents made up their minds about vaccines after “careful research and diligence to understand the risks versus the benefits for their own children’s circumstances.”

The American Academy of Pediatrics pointed out that doctors should speak of the importance of vaccinations during patients' visits but should respect parents’ wishes unless there is a significant risk to the kid.

Image sources: Cheryl, associated press, Sunni Mariah, Tampa Bay Times

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