Vaccination policy

Statement of Intent:
Coastal Kids expects all patients to be vaccinated according to the schedule endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

Effective Date: December 1, 2025

Our Commitment to Vaccination

Vaccines are among the most significant advances in modern medicine. They have eliminated smallpox, nearly eradicated polio, and dramatically reduced childhood deaths from diseases that were once common and devastating. The science is clear, consistent, and supported by decades of rigorous research: vaccines are safe, effective, and essential to protecting children's health.

At Coastal Kids, we believe vaccinating children is not simply a personal choice — it is a responsibility we share as a community. When children are vaccinated, they are protecting not only themselves but also the most vulnerable among us: newborns too young to be vaccinated, children with immune-compromising conditions, and patients undergoing treatments that weaken their immune systems.

We want to be absolutely clear about our position: we do not consider refusing vaccines to be a medically sound decision. Absent a documented medical contraindication, there is no scientific, logical, or evidence-based rationale for withholding vaccines from children. The risks of vaccine-preventable diseases — including hospitalization, permanent disability, and death — far exceed the minimal and well-studied risks of vaccination itself.

Our Ongoing Advocacy

We recognize that vaccine hesitancy exists, and we understand that parents may have questions, concerns, or fears shaped by misinformation. We will never stop having these conversations. At every visit — whether a well-child check, a sick visit, or any other encounter — our clinical team will continue to educate, advocate, and recommend vaccination.

This is not a topic we will set aside or agree to disagree on. Your child's health and the health of our entire patient community depend on high vaccination rates. We will persistently and compassionately return to this conversation because we believe it is that important.

Nurse Education and Support Resources

Our nursing team is specially trained to address vaccine questions and provide education tailored to your family's concerns. Resources available to families include:

• One-on-one vaccine consultations with our nurses to discuss the recommended schedule, address specific concerns, and review the evidence supporting each vaccine

• Educational materials from the AAP, VaxFacts.info and other trusted sources explaining how vaccines work, their safety profiles, and the diseases they prevent

• Catch-up vaccination planning for families who may have fallen behind, with personalized schedules to help get children protected as efficiently and safely as possible

• Ongoing support at every visit to answer new questions as they arise

We encourage any parent with vaccine questions — whether rooted in concern, confusion, or skepticism — to take advantage of these resources. Our goal is not to dismiss your concerns but to address them with facts, compassion, and unwavering commitment to your child's wellbeing.

Medical Exemptions

For patients with a documented medical contraindication to a particular vaccine, the Primary Care Clinician will confirm and clearly document the contraindication. In some cases, a specialist consultation may be required. These are rare circumstances, and we will work closely with affected families to protect their children through other means when specific vaccines cannot be administered.

Our Promise to You

We are your partners in keeping your children healthy. That partnership is built on trust, honesty, and our shared commitment to evidence-based care. We will always tell you the truth about what the science shows, and we will always advocate for the care we know your child needs.

If you have questions about vaccines or this policy, please speak with your care team. We welcome the conversation.

 For additional vaccine information and resources, please visit AAP.org or VaxFacts.info.