Required Immunizations

We strongly encourage all parents and guardians to fully immunize their child(ren) according to the recommended immunization schedule published by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). As of June 1st, 2015, we now require for our patients to be fully immunized against the vaccine preventable diseases listed below within the timeframe listed below. Failure to immunize the patient as below will be considered a voluntary termination of the doctor patient relationship and result in the patient having to transfer to another practice.

We recognize that some parents wish to pursue an “alternative” or delayed immunization schedule. We do not recommend this approach as it needlessly delays important protection against serious disease. We strongly encourage all parents to fully immunize their child(ren) according to the recommended immunization schedule published by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP.) However, we are willing to “work with” parents who intend to meet our requirements by the required age on a case-by-case basis.

DTaP: Must begin series by four months of age. Must receive three doses by nine months of age, four doses by second birthday, and five doses by school entry or sixth birthday (if not in school.)

Polio (IPV): Must begin series by four months of age. Must receive two doses by nine months of age, three doses by second birthday, and four doses by school entry or sixth birthday(if not in school.)

Hemophilus Type B (HIB) and Pneumococcal vaccines (Prevnar): Must begin series by four months of age. Must receive three doses by nine months of age, and four doses by second birthday

Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR): Must receive first dose by 16 months of age, and second dose by school entry or sixth birthday(if not in school.)

Varicella (Chickenpox): Must receive first dose by 16 months of age, and second dose by five year kindergarten entry or sixth birthday(if not in school.)

Tdap: Must receive by seventh grade entry (as required for school attendance) or thirteenth birthday.

Meningococcal vaccine (Meningitis): Must receive one dose by thirteenth birthday and second dose by eighteenth birthday.

Hepatitis A: Must receive first dose before the second birthday; must meet state of South Carolina requirements for daycare and school attendance.

Hepatitis B: Must receive three doses by the second birthday.

Children under age five but above one year of age who are not yet immunized are required to begin the MMR, Varicella, Polio and DTaP immunization within ninety days of receipt of this policy and be “up to date” with the recommended CDC “catch-up” schedule within one year of beginning these immunizations.

Older children (above age five) and teens who are just beginning to be immunized are required to begin the MMR, Varicella, Polio and appropriate Pertussis (Tdap or DTaP) immunization within ninety days of receipt of this policy and complete the recommended CDC “catch-up” schedule within one year of beginning these immunizations.

We do NOT require Influenza, Rotavirus or HPV vaccines at this time, however we do strongly recommend them at the appropriate ages.