One study found 93 percent of pediatricians and 60 percent of family physicians said at least one parent had refused a vaccine for their child in 2003. Within this year, 69 percent of the physicians said that the number of concerns from parents had increased significantly. The study also found that pediatricians were twice as likely to admit that refusals of the vaccines were on the rise.

The study showed 74 percent of physicians said they discussed the refusal with the parent. Many of the parents who refused vaccines were asked to sign refusal forms, and 10 percent of physicians asked the parents to find another physician.

The concerns from parents are due to the increasing information found in news stories, Internet sites and word-of-mouth reports that warn of harmful effects. These potential effects are linked to autism, autoimmune diseases, compromised immunity, learning disabilities, diabetes and paralysis, according to a study that randomly surveyed 750 pediatricians and 750 family physicians.

American Medical News February 9, 2004