Immunizations
Sprout Pediatrics has a specific minimum immunization requirement in order to provide safe & fair care for all of our patients. We don’t accept families who choose not to vaccinate their children at all, and we discourage alternative schedules.
We use multiple techniques when administering vaccines to avoid distress at all ages and we follow the CDC ACIP schedules and AAP COID recommendations. All patients are given information about these vaccines and the opportunity to discuss them prior to administration.
Parents who are hesitant about vaccinations are welcome and encouraged to schedule a visit with Dr. Kemmerle to ask questions and discuss choices.
Our Immunization Policy
Improving and protecting the health of our patients is Sprout Pediatrics’ purpose. It is our goal never to have one of our patients contract a disease or develop a disability that could have been prevented with an immunization.
In order to provide safe, equitable care for all of our patients Sprout Pediatrics does not accept families who do not vaccinate their children.
We strongly discourage alternative schedules and we have minimum immunization requirements for patients to continue care in our office.
We administer vaccines in accordance with the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines and American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Infectious Diseases (AAP COID) recommendations.
We stock our vaccines with the intent to fully vaccinate our patients on schedule with the fewest injections possible.
We do not separate individual vaccine components as it is unnecessary and subjects the child to greater distress and risk.
We do not routinely administer extra vaccinations to decrease pokes, but we offer parents choices when they are available and medically appropriate.
We use several tools in the office to minimize pain, fear and distress when giving vaccines. Parents are expected to help to maximize the benefits of these distraction and comfort measures.
All parents have in office and online access to vaccine information and resources and have the opportunity to discuss immunizations at a scheduled appointment.
We submit all immunization records to the Oregon State Immunization Registry.
Regarding alternative schedules
The volume of information about vaccines from a broad range of sources is overwhelming. We understand that leads to uncertainty and fears about immunization, and we respect parents’ right to make decisions about the care of their child. We believe that shared, informed decision making is critical to good medical care, and are willing to discuss concerns about the recommended immunization schedule with parents who plan to immunize. We are willing to accommodate alternate schedules on a case by case basis if they meet our minimum requirements for the safety of everyone involved with Sprout Pediatrics.
Patients whose parents choose to alter the vaccine schedule will need additional visits with Dr. Kemmerle to manage and administer immunizations because deviating from the standard vaccination schedule is complex. While nearly all vaccinations are covered in full by insurance, visits for this purpose are rarely covered by insurance. As with all non-covered services the charges will be the patient’s responsibility and payment will be expected at the time of service according to our financial policy. Dr. Kemmerle may permit nurse-only visits for some vaccine-only visits according to a plan already created. Changes to or questions about the plan will not be possible at nurse visits. If Dr. Kemmerle is available, your visit may be changed to an appointment with her, or the patient will be rescheduled for a later date and the schedule altered as required. The full cost of any vaccines agreed upon or special ordered in advance and later declined will be charged to the patient’s account.
New & Prospective Patients
Prospective new patients who are hesitant about vaccinations are welcome and encouraged to schedule a visit with Dr. Kemmerle to ask questions and discuss choices. Discussions about immunization involve significant professional work whether or not the family chooses to become Sprout Pediatrics patients so visit charges apply as described above.