07/13/2026
Child Health Associates Vaccine Policy for NEW Patients
As your child’s medical home, Child Health Associates is committed to providing high-quality, evidence-based preventive care. We believe that staying up to date with vaccinations is one of the most important things you can do to keep your child healthy.
We strongly support the complete immunization schedule recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MaDPH). This schedule has been developed over more than 95 years by medical experts using rigorous, evidence-based science, and is trusted by pediatricians and families nationwide.
Extensive scientific research continues to demonstrate that vaccines are both safe and effective.
While we respect a parent’s right to make healthcare decisions for their child, we also believe families deserve to visit our office with the confidence that other patients are vaccinated against highly contagious diseases. Vaccination helps protect vulnerable members of our community, including infants who are too young to be vaccinated and individuals with weakened immune systems.
Given the increasing resurgence of vaccine-preventable illnesses, and in keeping with the recommendations of the AAP, the AAFP, and the MaDPH, Child Health Associates has established guidelines for any new patient, of any age, joining the practice on or after July 13, 2026, including new infant siblings of current patients:
Our practice requires that parents agree, at a minimum, to the following immunizations, which protect children from the most contagious and/or most deadly vaccine-preventable diseases, according to the following schedule:
• Three DTaP, Hib, and Pneumococcal vaccines: start series between 2-4 months of age and
complete by 8 months of age
• First MMR and varicella vaccines by 18 months of age
• Fourth DTaP, Hib, and Pneumococcal vaccines by 18 months of age
• Fifth DTaP, and second MMR and varicella vaccines by 6 years of age.
• Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis) "booster" by 13 years of age.
If a family chooses not to comply with these guidelines, then Child Health Associates is not the best fit for their child's healthcare needs, and the family will need to seek their child’s healthcare elsewhere.
We understand that families may have questions or concerns regarding vaccinations or this policy, and we welcome open and respectful conversation. Our shared goal is to support the health, safety, and well-being of every child in our care.
