‘I Will File A CPS Report’: Pediatrician’s Blunt Message About Vaccines Is Going Viral

Berlin Hit By Measles Outbreak
Getty Images | Sean Gallup

Vaccines are one of the most hotly debated topics when it comes to parenting today. In recent years, many parents have opted not to vaccinate due to concerns over the shots causing autism. (Andrew Wakefield, the former doctor who spearheaded these fears with his 1998 research paper, lost his medical license after it was found that he lied about his findings.)

A pediatrician posted a stern message about his opinion of “anti-vaxxers” (families who opt not to vaccinate) on his Facebook page back in 2015. The message gained attention at the time, and it’s going viral all over again.

pediatrician office photo
Getty Images | Joe Raedle

“In my practice, you will vaccinate and you will vaccinate on time,” the doctor said in the post, which has since been taken down, begins. He continued on to say that parents who choose not to vaccinate will be asked to leave his practice. What’s more: “I will file a CPS [child protective services] report (not that they will do anything) for medical neglect, too,” he wrote.

Before choosing a doctor, especially a pediatrician, it’s really important to know where they stand on major issues like these. While it’s unclear why he took the post down, it’s quite possible he didn’t expect it to gain the level of attention that it did, with some questioning whether calling CPS would be taking it too far.

But vaccinations are a particularly important topic for doctors to address, as some parents might worry about bringing their children to a office where other pediatric patients are not vaccinated. And others may prefer to work with a doctor who’s open to a more flexible vaccination schedule.

vaccine
Pixabay

Despite the fact that the link between vaccines and autism has been debunked by a range of credible sources, many parents still remain fearful and the number of un-vaccinated kids is on the rise.

Besides autism fear, anti-vax parents also worry about their child’s immune system being overloaded, or about their discomfort when it comes to receiving injections.

And while it certainly can be hard to watch your little one being injected with several shots, the most recent research shows that vaccines are indeed life-saving. A study just published in the journal Pediatrics found that the flu vaccine actually halves the risk of death in children who contract influenza.

vaccine protest photo
Flickr | Johnny Silvercloud

RELATED: Hand, Foot And Mouth Disease Is On The Rise—Here Are The Symptoms To Look For

What do you think? Was the doctor wrong to take such a hard line about vaccinations, or do you think that he should be applauded for taking this stance? Where do you stand on vaccinating your own children?

RELATED VIDEO: 10 Vaccines That Saved The World

Disease & Illness, Health, Viral
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About the Author
Bridget Sharkey
Bridget Sharkey is a freelance writer covering pop culture, beauty, food, health and nature.

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