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Seen At 11: N.J. Pediatricians Say 'Troubling' Trend Against Vaccination Is Driving Patient Dismissal Policy

MAHWAH, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- Parents opposing vaccinations may find themselves between a rock and a hard place.

In New Jersey vaccinations are required for school, but religious exemptions exist, and as they increase some doctors are adjusting with a new policy.

Shopping around for a new pediatrician in northern New Jersey, one mother with a baby on the way knew she'd be asked about her family's health history.

Now, one question has become an even more crucial part of the upfront conversation between a pediatrician and parent.

That question is, "Do you vaccinate your children?"

For the first time ever the American Academy of Pediatrics is saying as a last resort, that doctors can dismiss a family from their practice if they refuse immunization.

It's a response to what most pediatricians find troubling; an increasing number of parents who don't trust vaccinations.

For the 2015-2016 school year -- citing religious reasons, more than 9,500 kids got exemptions form vaccinations in New Jersey. That's a jump of nearly 600 percent from a decade ago.

"That's horrible, very troublesome as a pediatrician, and father of three," Dr. Jeff Bienstock said.

At Dr. Bienstock's Mahwah office the policy is clear.

"We don't want parents in our practice who aren't vaccinated on time with children, because that leads to a whole public health problem," he told CBS2's Jessica Layton.

Dr. Bienstock said he has had to turn away families in the past.

"Unfortunately, I have, and that's a very hard thing," he said.

Mother of three Davette Phillips said she believes two of her boys suffered serious, lifelong health effects from shots they got when they were young. She had a tough time finding a doctor for her three-year-old -- who is not, and she stresses will not be vaccinated.

"It was very hard, very difficult," Phillips said, "There's only a couple brave ones out there who say you can come to me, and I'm willing to work with you."

After a lot of calls and a lot of research she did find a holistic doctor for her daughter. Still, she calls the new AAP Policy unnecessary medical coercion, and wonders how many physicians are practicing what they preach.

"The studies are not done, and the science is not done. These poor doctors have their hands tied," she said.

Dr. Bienstock hopes to help hesitant parents talk through their fears, and that his hands are not 'tied.'

"If a parent doesn't believe my trust with how important vaccinations are, how are they gonna believe me with anything else?" he said.

He is bound to doing what he wholeheartedly believes is best for the children in his care.

 

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