• Vaccination Policy

    At Bristol Pediatrics, our doctors have dedicated their lives to support your child’s health and wellness. We believe one of the most important services we can provide to our patients is vaccinations against life threatening diseases. We strongly agree with the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommended and evidence-based vaccination schedule.

    That being said, we recognize that there has always been and likely always will be controversy surrounding vaccination. Although we have studied and agree that current scientific evidence supports vaccination, we are very sensitive to the concerns of families. We recognize that the choice may be a very emotional one for some parents. We will do everything we can to convince you that vaccinating according to schedule is the right thing to do. However, if you have doubts, please ask us your pediatrician during your visit. We pledge to work with families to assure their concerns are addressed. Please be advised, however, that delaying or “breaking up the vaccines” to give them over multiple visits, goes against expert recommendations and can put your child at risk for serious illness (or even death). This is against our well researched advice as physicians here at Bristol Pediatrics.

    We believe vaccines are safe. We believe vaccines are effective. We believe that vaccines do not cause autism or other development delays. We believe this is the single most important health intervention you as a parent can make.

    Thanks to our partnership with Vaccines for Children (VFC) as of Summer 2018, we are able to vaccinate all patients in our office. Those will Medicaid will no longer have to go to the health department for immunizations.

  • Vaccination Schedule
    Vaccination Schedule
    Birth Hepatitis B (1 of 4)
    2 Months Pediarix (1 of 3)
    • Hepatitis B (2 of 4)
    • DTaP (diptheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis (1 of 5)
    • IPV (inactivated poliovirus (1 of 4)
    Vaxneuvance – PCV (1 of 4)
    Hib – Haemophilus influenza type b (1 of 3)
    Rotateq – rotavirus (1 of 3)
    4 Months Pediarix (2 of 3)
    • Hepatitis B (3 of 4)
    • DTaP (diptheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis (2 of 5)
    • IPV (inactivated poliovirus (2 of 4)
    Vaxneuvance – PCV (2 of 4)
    Hib – Haemophilus influenza type b (2 of 3)
    Rotateq – rotavirus (2 of 3)
    6 Months Pediarix (3 of 3)
    • Hepatitis B (4 of 4)
    • DTaP (diptheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis (3 of 5)
    • IPV (inactivated poliovirus (3 of 4)
    Vaxneuvance – PCV (3 of 4)
    Influenza
    Rotateq – rotavirus (3 of 3)
    12 Months Hepatitis A (1 of 2)
    MMR – measles, mumps, rubella (1 of 2)
    Varicella – chicken pox (1 of 2)
    15 Months Hib – Haemophilus influenza type b (3 of 3)
    Vaxneuvance – PCV (4 of 4)
    18 Months DTaP – diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis (4 of 5)
    Hepatitis A (2 of 2)
    4-6 Years Kinrix
    • DTaP – diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis (5 of 5)
    • IPV – inactivated polio virus (4 of 4)
    Proquad
    • MMR – measles, mumps rubella (2 of 2)
    • Varicella – chicken pox (2 of 2)
    11-12 Years Meningococcal Vaccine (1 of 2)
    TDaP – tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis for (7 & older)
    HPV – human papillomavirus (2 doses if start younger than 15 years old, 3 doses if start 15 years or older)
    16 Years Meningococcal Vaccine (2 of 2)
    16-23 years Meningitis B (2 doses, 1 month apart) (optional)
  • Vaccination Consent Form

    Consent for Administration of Immunizations

    Vaccine Information Statements (VISs)

    TN Mature Minor Doctrine Clarification Act FAQs

  • Frequently Asked Questions About RSV

    What is RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus)?

    • RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, coldlike symptoms. However, it can be dangerous for infants and children with high-risk conditions.

    How does RSV spread?

    • RSV spreads from person to person like a cold virus, through contact with saliva, mucus or nasal discharge.
    • It is the most common reason for hospitalization in children less than 1 year of age. Symptoms of RSV in babies can be variable.

    What are the symptoms of RSV?

    • Usually, RSV results in an upper respiratory tract infection with fever, cough, and congestion. Sometimes, the virus infects the lower respiratory tract and causes fast breathing, belly breathing, and wheezing. Typically RSV symptoms are at their worst about 3-5 days into the illness.

    How can I protect my child from RSV?

    • According to the CDC, administration reduces the risk of severe RSV disease by about 80%.
    • This winter season, there is a new injection called nirsevimab or Beyfortus to help prevent severe illness from RSV. Nirsevimab is a monoclonal antibody which provides passive immunity against RSV for about 5 months.
    • Children with high-risk conditions and infants aged 6 months and under are prioritized for administration.
    Does HMG offer the RSV antibody?

    • Yes. HMG Pediatric offices in Kingsport, Bristol, and Abingdon have limited amounts of the RSV antibody currently available. Children with high-risk conditions and infants aged 6 months and under are prioritized for administration. According to the CDC, administration reduces the risk of severe RSV disease by about 80%.

      Please contact your HMG Pediatric office for more information about RSV antibody or to schedule an appointment for administration.