selective vax friendly doctor who's actually taking new clients?

[pleasantstreets]

(x-posted to selective vax thread, in hopes of a few responses from those who don't come here...)

I'm looking for a doctor in the Boston area (north of Boston is ideal, but I'll drive pretty far either way if I have to) who can help me get my son's vax started up again, but in a slow and steady manner. I've called a few doctors recommended in the Mass Tribe posts about this, but they are all closed to new patients.

I've got a 2-year-old son in daycare, and he currently has about half of his 0-18 month shots, but nothing since, and we've got a religious exemption on file with his daycare. However, I do want to get some shots done in the future (measles, a few others), but it's hard because I don't want to then be put on some accelerated schedule trying to "catch up", and I want to still say no to some.

I need a friendly doctor who will help me work through this and handle it in a way that doesn't get me in trouble or force me into the very thing I was tryign to avoid in the first place (too many, too fast).

Any doctor suggestions (or other advice) would be greatly appreciated!

[cwoodard]

I posted about my new ped here:

http://www.mothering.com/discussions/showthread.php?t=955755

[hikingmommy]

Leonard Horowitz in Danvers is a family doctor who is pro-vax, but we've found him very respectful of our selective/delayed vacc'ing. As far as I know he's taking new patients. There are several threads here w/ North Shore doctors.

[pleasantstreets]

Yep, Dr. Horowitz sounded perfect for us, and he's even on our insurance plan, but his office said he's not taking new patients now - at least for a year! :(

Thanks, though! :)

[megincl]

Dr. Bershel in Somerville (Davis Square Family Practice) definitely fits the bill for this (except geographically, of course). Just tell her what you want in terms of vaxes and be clear about it. Usually that is just fine. On rare occasions I've heard that she pushes back a bit (never with us), so just hold firm. As long as you've thought it through, she's good. And I think she never turns away patients.

Good luck!
megin

[pleasantstreets]

Dr. Bershel in Somerville (Davis Square Family Practice) definitely fits the bill for this


Megin, thanks for this! I'll give her a call and see if she fits on the insurance and all... and I guess I better come up with my schedule, too! lol!

And cwoodard, your doc sounds great as well - if I can't find something closer, that'll be a great option!


Gee, wouldn't it be nice if this was a little easier?!?!??!

[hikingmommy]

Yep, Dr. Horowitz sounded perfect for us, and he's even on our insurance plan, but his office said he's not taking new patients now - at least for a year! :(

Thanks, though! :)

I'm surprised to hear that. There was a time a year or 2 ago when he wasn't taking new patients, but he said that that's typically a very short-term thing (like to get through a tough flu season or something). That time, he said that he'd take newborns, and the families of patients, so if a family has a new baby then the whole family could switch to him if they want. I don't know if that's the case now (or if you're planning on having more children).

[earthgirl]

Did you try Dr. Bastian in JP? He is sometimes hard to get in with, but he is amazing! Completely AP friendly in addition to being respectful about your vax decisions.

[Nautical]

I called Horowitz last week and was told that he was taking new patients but only babies.

Dr. Sears website for The Vaccine Book lists Jennifer Sutherland (a family practitioner) in Beverly. She is taking new patients.