Our Vaccine Policy

At Monterey Peninsula Pediatric Medical Group (MPPMG), we firmly believe:
● In the safety and effectiveness of vaccines to prevent serious illness and save lives.

● That vaccinating children and young adults according to the recommended schedule is one of the most important health interventions we provide.

● That all children and young adults should receive all the recommended vaccines as outlined by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) which is based on decades of rigorous scientific research.

● That vaccines do not cause autism or other developmental disabilities, as confirmed by extensive studies and evidence.

We understand that vaccines have been so successful that many of today’s parents have never witnessed the serious consequences of diseases like polio, whooping cough, bacterial meningitis, or measles. However, with decreasing vaccination rates in some communities, we are now seeing the return of these preventable diseases, sometimes with devastating consequences.

We present these facts not to scare or coerce, but to emphasize the critical importance of immunizing your child, not only for their protection, but for the protection of others in our community who may be too young or medically unable to be vaccinated.

Our Vaccine Policy

● We require all patients to begin the primary vaccine series by the 4-month well visit.

● In some rare cases, we will consider an alternative vaccine schedule, only if:

o You understand that modifying the schedule goes against expert recommendation and can put your child at risk of serious illness.

o The modified schedule begins no later than the 4-month visit.

o There must be a clear and consistent plan to complete the recommended primary vaccine series by 2 years of age.

● Failure to begin vaccinations by 4 months of age, or failure to follow through with an agreed schedule, will result in dismissal from the practice.

● Families transferring into MPPMG with unvaccinated/under-vaccinated children over 6 months of age will be given 30 days to begin vaccinations or establish a catch-up schedule with our team.

● Additional fees may be charged for an extra visit required to accommodate an alternative schedule.

● Combination vaccines will not be separated into individual shots, unless medically indicated.

Open Dialogue and Respectful Care

● There is no alternative immunization schedule recommended by the AAP, so MPPMG does not endorse any “alternative” vaccine schedule. Further, there is no proven benefit to splitting vaccines. We believe that splitting vaccines can lead to medical errors and leaves the under-vaccinated child at risk for preventable disease.

● We would be happy to discuss your individual concerns about immunizations. We will do what we can to make you feel comfortable with the decision to vaccinate your child according to the recommended schedule. We respect that parents may have questions or concerns. We are committed to open, respectful discussions and will do our best to provide clear, evidence-based information to support your decisions.

● Our primary responsibility is to protect the health of all our patients and the broader community. We appreciate your understanding and partnership in keeping our children safe and healthy.

● MPPMG Vaccine Policy Agreement

● Refusal of Recommended Immunizations Forms