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Physicians have been required to discuss childhood
vaccine risks and benefits in pediatric health care for over a decade.
This study was done to learn just what doctors are doing in their offices.
The authors wanted to determine what written materials were given and
what information providers thought parents wanted/needed to know, and
the content of nurse and doctor discussion with parents, and the time
spent on discussion.
The authors did not just include any "run of
the mill" doctors, but selected the cream of the
crop who were active fellows of the American Academy of Pediatrics
or American Academy of Family Physicians.
What did they find? 70%
of physicians self-reported their offices gave parents the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention Vaccine Information Statement, while 60%,
respectively, gave it with every dose.
In 70%
of immunization visits, physicians and nurses reported initiating discussion
of the following: common side effects, when to call the clinic and the
immunization schedule.
And here is the real kicker:
40% indicated
that they did not mention risks of the vaccines at all and
90% did not mention the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program.
Pediatrics
2001 Feb;107(2):E17
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