By an overwhelming majority, the membership of the Naturopathic Academy of Primary Care Physicians voted to approve an immunization position paper in support of the ACIP schedule.
Here is an excerpt from the approved position statement:
Position of the Naturopathic Academy of Primary Care Physicians:
- The Naturopathic Academy of Primary Care Physicians takes a clear pro-immunization position, with the understanding that there may be differences of opinion and dissent in both naturopathic and conventional medical communities and recommends that naturopathic physicians know, understand, and follow the immunization guidelines appropriate for the individual patient, and consistent with immunization regulations of local, state and federal jurisdictions.
- Naturopathic physicians should recommend, provide, or refer for appropriate immunizations according to CDC’s childhood immunization or catch-up schedules.
- Naturopathic physicians should provide a copy of the official CDC immunization schedule and standard written informed consent for the patient or parent to sign, stating they understand the risks if there is variance from the CDC’s immunization schedule. If a patient receives immunizations outside the medical home, necessary details should be accurately recorded for those immunizations in order to track a patient’s immunization status in accordance with state laws.
Congrats to the members of the NAPCP for a job well done! Now mark your calendar for a symposium hosted by the NAPCP board on Immunization Practices in Naturopathic Primary Care on November 5th, 2016 (location TBA).
Setareh Tais, ND is a naturopathic doctor practicing family medicine with a focus on integrative family medicine and reproductive health in Fresno, CA. She received her doctorate of naturopathic medicine from Bastyr University in 2009 and completed an integrative family medicine residency program with additional training in reproductive endocrinology and infertility in 2012.
She is immediate past president of the California Naturopathic Doctors Association and a Delegate to the American Association of Naturopathic Physcians; as well as a former board member of the Washington Association of Naturopathic Physicians and founding board member of the Endocrinology Association of Naturopathic Physicians.
