Immunization Policy

At our practice, we are committed to providing the highest quality, evidence‑based care for every child we serve. Keeping your child healthy and protected is at the heart of everything we do. Vaccines are one of the most effective tools in modern medicine, preventing serious illnesses and saving countless lives over many decades.

We follow the New York State Immunization Schedule for all children attending child care, preschool, and public school. These guidelines help ensure that every child—and our community as a whole—remains safe from preventable diseases.

If you choose not to vaccinate your child according to New York State requirements, we respect your decision. However, we ask that you seek care with a provider whose policies align more closely with your preferences.

Our goal is to partner with families who share our commitment to keeping children healthy, safe, and protected.

*Pediarix contains DTap, HepB & Polio
**Gardasil is a highly recommended vaccine

Links to answer vaccine questions: www.immunize.org, www.cdc.org, www.aap.org, www.allkidscount.org

After the Shots...

Your child may need extra love and care after getting vaccinated. Some vaccinations that protect children from serious diseases also can cause discomfort for a while. Here are answers to questions many parents have after their children have been vaccinated. If this sheet doesn't answer your questions, call your healthcare provider.

Vaccinations may hurt a little... but disease can hurt a lot!

Call your healthcare provider right away if you answer “yes” to any of the following questions:

• Does your child have a temperature that your healthcare provider has told you to be concerned about?
• Is your child pale or limp?
• Has your child been crying for more than 3 hours and just won't quit?
• Is your child's body shaking, twitching, or jerking?
• Is your child very noticeably less active or responsive?

What to do if your child has discomfort

I think my child has a fever. What should I do?

Check your child's temperature to find out if there is a fever. An easy way to do this is by taking a temperature in the armpit using an electronic thermometer (or by using the method of temperature-taking your healthcare provider recommends). If your child has a temperature that your healthcare provider has told you to be concerned about or if you have questions, call your healthcare provider.

Here are some things you can do to help reduce fever:

• Give your child plenty to drink.
• Dress your child lightly. Do not cover or wrap your child tightly.
• Give your child a fever- or pain-reducing medicine such as acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol) or ibuprofen (e.g., Advil, Motrin). The dose you give your child should be based on your child's weight and your heathcare provider's instructions. See the dose chart on page 2. Do not give aspirin. Recheck your child's temperature after 1 hour. Call your healthcare provider if you have questions.

My child has been fussy since getting vaccinated. What should
I do?

After vaccination, children may be fussy because of pain or fever. To reduce discomfort, you may want to give your child a medicine such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen. See the dose chart on page 2. Do not give aspirin. If your child is fussy for more than 24 hours, call your healthcare provider.

My child's leg or arm is swollen, hot, and red. What should I do?

• Apply a clean, cool, wet washcloth over the sore area for comfort.
• For pain, give a medicine such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen. See the dose chart here . Do not give aspirin.
• If the redness or tenderness increases after 24 hours, call your healthcare provider.

My child seems really sick. Should I call my healthcare provider?

If you are worried at all about how your child looks or feels, call your healthcare provider!

If your child's temperature is 102.5 °F or higher, or if you have questions, call your healthcare provider.

The Phone numbers are listed on the top or bottom of this page.