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Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2000;154:89-90.

	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text and any section headings.

I read with interest Dr Jessee's letter regarding parents refusing immunizations for their children.¹ I, too, am in my 50s and have been a pediatrician for more than 20 years.

I have never asked a parent to remove a child from my practice for not obeying me. I think that Dr Jessee deludes herself. I think many patients do not listen to our advice about many different issues.

Compliance issues are very complicated. I wonder if Dr Jessee fires her patients if they, for example, do not take their prescribed course of antibiotics.

I agree that our role is to teach, to explain, and to push our views; we also must honor our patients' right to self-determination.

Jerome E. Lahman, MD
Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine
Health Wise Medical Associates
357 Hartford Turnpike
Vernon, CT 06066

1. Jessee RA. Immunization refusal and physician responsibility. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 1999;153:312-313. FREE FULL TEXT

In reply

It is interesting that since my letter was published in the March issue . . . [Full Text of this Article]