Yes.

Without hesitation.

Concern is generally driven by a mix of psychological, social, and informational factors. There is a growing lack of trust in institutions including the government, healthcare, and Pharma. Political discourse around vaccines has undermined confidence. However, as someone who has dedicated my life to the health and safety of children, I can assure you that there is no greater healthcare gift you can give your child than to vaccinate them against deadly and communicable diseases.

A little bit, to be honest. But I am also trying to see things from a parent’s perspective. Families and pediatricians both want the same thing, healthy children who can thrive. With all of the misinformation out there, it’s easy to get scared. Fear drives people to act irrationally. My goal is to help those with reservations understand the science and why I truly believe that vaccines are one of the most incredible scientific innovations in human history. If parents come to me with an open mind and I have the time, I try my best to hear their concerns, meet them where they are at, and have an open and honest discussion about the risks & benefits of vaccinating or not vaccinating their child.

Because I want my patients, their families and the greater community at large to be healthy. Vaccination is not just for protecting the child who receives the injection, but for the countless others who rely on herd immunity to stay safe. No child, or person for that matter, should suffer from something we have the resources to prevent.

I am not financially incentivized in any way, including by Big Pharma, to recommend or administer vaccines. Pediatricians. including myself, believe in vaccines because we want children to be healthy and safe, not because there is a financial incentive for us to do so.