The history of serious, life-threatening infectious diseases was forever
changed by the development of effective, safe
immunizations. Hundreds of millions of children have been saved by effective vaccines
including those for smallpox,
measles, pneumococcal infection, and many others. Tremendous, quality scientific
studies have demonstrated that vaccines are safe. Throughout the world,
led by the
World Health Organization and the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the standard of care for both children and adults is a series of immunizations
geared to keep the population healthy.
As an infectious diseases physician, I strongly recommend vaccinations
for both adults and children, and of course, immunize both myself and
my family fully with no hesitation whatsoever. I would never introduce
a vaccine into my beloved family members if I did not believe it was safe.
The
pediatricians at the Campbell County Medical Group
Main Clinic feel very strongly that it is the standard of care to provide
recommended immunization protection for the children they care for. They feel that it is both the ethical
and moral thing to do, for both the children themselves and the adults
who care for them. It is within a physician's basic rights to choose
not to care for children when the parents or caregivers refuse to allow
basic immunization protection.
In Campbell County, Wyoming, there are other healthcare providers willing
to see these unvaccinated children, and therefore there is no lack of
access to care. In addition, any children not immunized are still welcome
to be seen in the emergency room or hospitalized if need be without any
interruption in their care whatsoever. The pediatricians also do not want
to endanger other children or parents in their offices who might have
abnormal immune systems, such as patients with rheumatoid arthritis, cancer,
etc., by allowing unimmunized children in their waiting rooms. Again,
this is extremely reasonable and ethical.
As a board-certified infectious diseases physician with over 30 years of
experience, and as the
Natrona County Health Officer for over 20 years, I support the pediatricians fully in their approach.
Mark Dowell, MD, FACP is an Infectious Disease physician with
Rocky Mountain Infectious Diseases in Casper, Wyoming. He is the Infection Prevention Medical Director for
Campbell County Health.