Re: HIB vaccination/choosing a pediatrician in general...

Just Wondering:

I was so glad you mentioned the problem of younger doctors' really pushing vaccinations, and that they receive considerable pressure to do so (not to mention that those "well-child" visits are a cash cow...).

I have found older pediatricians, and now our older family practitioner, to be more openminded and less hysterical. We originally followed a friend's recommendation and went to a young woman in a large peds practice. She was absolutely horrible to me. (Keep in mind that we were in Charlottesville, Virginia -- a pretty progressive community where it should not have been a shock to her that some people don't want to vaccinate.) Essentially she told me, "We usually tell people like you to go somewhere else." (Which, in fact, we did.)

I recommend keeping in mind that the practice of medicine is just that, and an older doctor has seen more patients, more children, and has a better perspective than someone fresh out of medical school and eager to be an important public servant. Go with the gray on this front!

Laura Tweet