February 17, 2015
Damian Dovarganes/AP
Pediatrician Charles Goodman vaccinates 1 year- old Cameron Fierro with the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine, or MMR vaccine at his practice in Northridge, Calif., Thursday, Jan. 29, 2015.
Amid the measles outbreak, more and more doctors are turning away unvaccinated children, the Los Angeles Times reports.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, of the more than 100 people who have contracted the virus so far, the majority were unvaccinated.
"We decided that the patients who are not vaccinated are presenting a clear and present danger," Dr. Charles Goodman, who has been a pediatrician for more than 20 years, told the Los Angeles Times.
"It just wasn't fair for a small number of patients to put those many patients, who either couldn't be vaccinated because they're too young or had a weakened immune system, at risk."
Patients who refuse to follow Goodman's policy have a month to find a new doctor. He said he has immunized 50 to 100 more patients, who he believes would not have gotten the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine otherwise, since he implemented the policy.
Similarly, Southern Orange County Pediatric Associates decided to turn away new patients who will not adequately vaccinate their children, and current patients must do so or find another doctor.
The American Academy of Pediatrics, however, recommends that pediatricians work with parents who refuse vaccines rather than discharge patients.
