I have a 6 month old baby girl and we often try to get together for playdates with our friends. I recently found out that one of the mothers in our playdate circle has chosen not to vaccinate her baby on a traditional schedule. Should I be worried that her child may infect the other babies with something? Should we not have playdates with them anymore?
Delayed vaccination can absolutely increase the burden of illness among children and their peers. It is imperative that we adhere to the American Academy of Pediatrics vaccine schedule to protect those who are too young to receive vaccinations and those who are immunocompetent. More practices and institutions around the country have taken a hard stance on accepting new patients that refuse to vaccinate or prefer a significantly delayed schedule. There are clear and inherent risks to delaying vaccination and you have every right to freely voice your concerns surrounding the safety of your child. Hearing you advocate for your child and voicing your concerns may help educate your friend on the importance of timely vaccinations.
