Seeking Pediatricians in Valley Who Are Open to Dialogue Re: Vaccines

Updated on April 06, 2008
A.C. asks from Peoria, AZ
13 answers

I inquired about my pediatrician's office before my daughter was born and had heard from several moms that the practice was "open" to those who wish to delay vaccinations and those who choose not to vaccinate altogether. I was given a hard time by all but one doctor in the practice in my daughter's first couple of weeks of life (we were in the hospital for a while so we rotated through all but one doctor when they were on call). Since that time, they are no longer giving me an outright difficult time but the tone becomes frosty when I have questions about vaccinations or want to talk about my concerns. They are each supportive and warm when it comes to any other topic but vaccinations. I recently asked specifically about possible negative outcomes or reactions with one vaccine in particular and I was told only about the mild reactions. When I questioned about the more serious reactions that I discovered through my own research, I was told that that hardly ever happens and that I don't need to worry about it. I had asked specifically about possible negative reactions and the serious ones were omited from the physician's response. I left that appointment with concerns about truthfulness and full disclosure being given to me so that I can make a truly informed decision before injecting my daughter.

I am looking for a pediatrician or a pediatric practice that is open to a true dialogue with parents about the benefits and risks of various vaccines. I want to be able to trust that I'm getting full disclosure when he/she passes along information to me. We live in Peoria, but I am willing to drive for this kind of care.

ONE MORE THING.....I have been wanting to take my daughter to a naturopathic doctor since she was a newborn and my husband is not on-board with this so we are still seeing an M.D. He is open to seeing a D.O. as well, but not an N.D.

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C.E.

answers from Phoenix on

This is the list my midwife gave me for Child Friendly Doctors. I use D. Nathen Vitaro...a ND and LOVE him. I don't know anything about the others.

MD/DO
Dr Charles Martin - Southwest Peds ###-###-####
Dr Strubble – Camelback Peds ###-###-####
Dr. Bouvier with AJpeds. http://www.ajpeds.com
Dr Arguwal - Desert Ridge 101 & Tatum ###-###-####
Dr. Kevin Cleary, DO 43rd Ave & Northern 623. ###-###-####
Dr. Darryl Lamb
Dr. Matthew Baral ###-###-####
Good Night Pediatrics NW Corner of 103rd Ave & McDowell ###-###-####
Mesa Pediatrics Guadalupe & Greenfield
Phx Developing Families Center 303 E. Baseline Rd Ste 104 ###-###-####
Dr. Craig Premac 92nd St and Shea
Dr. Jennifer Stallone Integrated Health
Windhawk Clinic

NDs (first three come highly recommended)

Dr. Nathan Vitaro http://nmdscottsdale.com/
7350 East Stetson Drive, Suite #118
Scottsdale , AZ 85251
Phone: (480) 425-WELL (9355)

Matthew Baral, ND
8010 E McDowell Dr Ste 111
Scottsdale , Arizona 85257
Phone: ###-###-####

Karsten Alexandria, ND
13206 N. 7th St.
Phoenix, Arizona 85022
Phone: ###-###-#### Fax: ###-###-####

1 mom found this helpful

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P.H.

answers from Phoenix on

I cannot offer medical advice but I will tell you that all 4 of my children have all their vaccinations. Their ages are 2yrs to 20 yrs. They are the healthiest kids you'll meet and all do excellent in school.
Their vaccinations have not hindered them in ANY way.
Actually, I've never met one person who has ever had an issue w/the shots.
I personally am a little hesitant or rather very hesitant to have my kids around a child that has not been immunized.
We travel out of the country regulary and would not risk it.
Also now here in America, there are so many foreigners bringing their diseases over with them I believe it's the best choice to immunize your children.

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N.H.

answers from Phoenix on

The reason the pediatricians are so frosty is that a law was passed a while back that if you get the vaccinations and your child has ill effects you cannot sue the Dr. However, if you do not get the vaccinations and your child gets sick you can sue the Dr. Interesting senerio!!!
I have many friends who do not vaccinate, but do not know of a Pediatritian who will support that. You can always go to a natural Dr. for support.
N.
Newborn Care Specialist

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J.H.

answers from Phoenix on

I"ll be watching this post. I have an 8 year old who is just fine but he'll need more vaccinations in a year or so and I'm already concerned. JH

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S.F.

answers from Phoenix on

I don't think you will find a pediatrician who tells you all of the VERY rare reactions as they are not the norm and will probably not occur unless there are other underlying factors involved in the childs medical history. So, I would just continue to do your own research and come equipped with specific questions that they will then have to answer. Also, keep in mind that in many circumstances, they are legally required to do all that is possible to have you give your child federally mandated vaccinations. When you opt out, they are to report it. Lastly, I would double check and make sure that none of the vaccines that you are concerned about are required for school registration. I am a teacher and I know that the schools will not make an exception at all.

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S.W.

answers from Phoenix on

Hi A.,

It sounds like you are a gal who does her homework and listens to her instincts.

I'm new to the area, so I'm as interested as you are in finding out who out there is a doc that I would feel comfortable referring my natural childbirth students to -- but the only advice I can offer is to think seriously about why you need to take your child to a pediatrician at all. What I'm suggesting is not to avoid docs altogether, but to pick one that is more in line with health maintenance than sick care -- a chiropractor who is good at treating children (most are). If you find a good one (I can recommend one in Goodyear, but not in your area), you will find that the only time you go to the pediatrician's office is to get the earwax out of your kids' ears. And even that you can learn to do yourself. The fact is that in today's society, "well-baby visits" are nothing more than vaccine schedule compliance. If you are not interested in doing vaccines because of the horrifying ingredients including heavy metals, then follow your instincts and stay away from the vaccine peddlers. A good chiropractor will help your children avoid illness and function at their best, keeping their immune systems strong in a way that vaccines never could.

Bravo to you for sticking to your guns, doing your research and listening to your heart. I allowed my daughter to be vaccinated from the time she was 8 mos old (not before, because I was breastfeeding and felt it unnecessary) until she was three, at which point I finally did what you did: my homework. After that, I resolved not to inject her again, and my son has never had a vaccine. Both are incredibly healthy, and love it when their chiro doc "gets the popcorn out." Good luck to you!

S.

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C.B.

answers from Phoenix on

Hi, I was concerned as you with my first child 16 years ago. My pediatrician said I needed to trust her, and I did. 5 children later my kids have all done well with their immunizations and I am now thankful that I did it. I have a handicapped child who's exposure to others is life threatening and I almost lost him at 4 weeks. His siblings brought germs home from school and he became so ill that he stopped breathing. This was with havng shots, the doctors all said things would have been different if he hadn't had them. I also exclusively nurse for 12 months, no bottles, food or pacifiers. My doctoe encouraged me and praised me all the was. I've done this with all 5, they nurse much longer and that's with food, plus they sleep in my bed from birth to at least 3. I have a cousin who is rearing her 3 year old organic all the way and no shots, she cannot get her daughter into any preschools, play groups or group activities. School will not permit a child without shots to set foot in a classroom too. My cousin has been trying to catch up now on the shots, she regrets not doing it on schedule because now her daughter is traumatized from so many shots and she remembers!!! Her fears are hightened and she resists going to the doctor now. A baby doesn't remember the shots. Hope this helps because my cousin was always shut out of everything and her daughter never leaves the house. Just be careful for her safety and trust in your provider, I had to and am thankful that I did.

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D.T.

answers from Phoenix on

dr singer at 44th street and camelback doesn't say anything about vaccines. and his staff is pretty okay with it too...

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A.B.

answers from Phoenix on

WOW good luck on finding the not so frosty one's. I have 3 girls 17,11 and six year old, we have been seeing the same pedi since even before my 17 yrold my nephew started w/her and he is now 22yrs. wow time flies. back 17yrs we did not know any better that there were other alterntives, so she rcv'd her rglr schdl of immunizations (ouch, yuck.) then here comes our next one and well we just got wise and researched and found that we did not like or even have to get our child immunized. so she isnt at all and neither is our 6yr old. and guess what their file at the dr's office well (what file) they are the healthiest kids we have call me if you want i am home now i would like to talk to you about this ###-###-#### A.

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J.V.

answers from Phoenix on

Your insurance won't cover it, but go see Dr. Kail, a well-respected naturopathic Dr. at Arizona Advanced Medicine. He'll tell you like it is :) He is pretty against most vaccinations.

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P.S.

answers from Phoenix on

I'm not sure who you pediatric group is, but if your needs/concerns are not being addressed you are right to find someone else. Parents have valid reasons to be concerned and your doctor has an obligation to address those concerns.
As far as finding a doctor who is open to discussing the side effects of vaccines, you might try locating a doctor who works with Autistic children. Check out PhxAutism.org and see if they have any one they might recommend you see.
Best of luck and always follow your instincts.

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D.B.

answers from Phoenix on

I completely understand your situation. I am on the fence about vaccinations, more on the side of not giving them to my child, but not 100% sure.

We see Dr. Karsten Alexandria, Purple Sage. We pay out of pocket for our visits but its worth it knowing she shares our beliefs. She recommends not even thinking about it until the child is at least 1 years old, possibly 2, until their immune system is more developed. We decided to talk about it then.

I did however have to take my child to a pediatrician to get a referral when she was 1 week old. We chose her because she was on our list of doctors who are open to talking about vaccinations. NO WAY, she really wasn't open to it at all and pushed it immediately. They get monetary kick backs from the state to provide scheduled vaccinations. Needless to say we haven't been back there.

I was invited to a lecture in about a week about vaccination options, as soon as I get the details I'll post them.

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T.M.

answers from Phoenix on

Go to/call the Naturopathic College in Tempe and ask them for a referal.

I do know vaccinate my kids and they are so helpful. They have great peditricians for referal.

hope this helps,
T.
www.tesabartell.myarbonne.com

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