Immunizing preschool children: beliefs and practices of pediatric residents

Many medical residents need to be educated about the importance of vaccinating children. In a survey of 227 pediatric residents, only 57% made sure a child was completely vaccinated by the 15-month visit. Only 58% said they would vaccinate a child who was brought to the doctor because of illness and a fever. About one-fourth believed the parents would not return for well-child visits if the child was vaccinated during an illness. Others did not have the time to vaccinate or believed that vaccination during illness would cause discomfort for the child.