title: Childhood immunization: when physicians and parents disagree.
abstract: Persistent fears about the safety and efficacy of vaccines, and whether immunization programs are still needed, have led a significant minority of parents to refuse vaccination. Are parents within their rights when refusing to consent to vaccination? How ought physicians respond? Focusing on routine childhood immunization, we consider the ethical, legal, and clinical issues raised by 3 aspects of parental vaccine refusal: (1) physician counseling; (2) parental decision-making; and (3) continuing the physician-patient relationship despite disagreement. We also suggest initiatives that could increase confidence in immunization programs.
authors: Osgoode Hall Law School, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors: Joan
authors: J
authors: Gilmour
authors: Christine
authors: C
authors: Harrison
authors: Leyla
authors: L
authors: Asadi
authors: Michael H
authors: MH
authors: Cohen
authors: Sunita
authors: S
authors: Vohra
mesh_terms: D002170:Canada; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003142:Communication; D000529:Complementary Therapies; D003657:Decision Making; D037001:Directive Counseling / Q000941:ethics; D034462:Dissent and Disputes; D004992:Ethics, Medical; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007114:Immunization / Q000941:ethics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D007223:Infant; D007258:Informed Consent / Q000941:ethics; D016365:Liability, Legal; D008297:Male; D022542:Measles-Mumps-Rubella Vaccine; D010290:Parents; D011368:Professional-Family Relations / Q000941:ethics; D016312:Treatment Refusal / Q000941:ethics; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D022542:Measles-Mumps-Rubella Vaccine