Vaccines & Back-To-School: 4 The Record gets advice for families from Pittsburgh doctor
Dr. Joe Aracri, the department chair of pediatrics for Allegheny Health Network, appeared on Sunday’s edition of 4 The Record to discuss vaccines as they relate to children going back to school
PITTSBURGH —
During Sunday’s edition of 4 The Record, Dr. Joe Aracri, the department chair of pediatrics for Allegheny Health Network, spoke with host Elena LaQuatra about vaccinations when it comes to children going back-to-school.
One of the items discussed was Pennsylvania’s database that tracks immunizations.
“The data tracker really helps us as pediatricians and health care providers, allowing us to know where the child is if you’re up-to-date now,” Aracri said. “A lot of times, parents do not have their vaccine records, or they moved from a different area of Pennsylvania. So it’s always great to have access to that vaccine database to make sure that the child’s up to date and you’re not getting unnecessary vaccines when you don’t have to.”
Amid changing guidance regarding vaccines at the federal level, Aracri said that locally, there’s one source of information and advice families should consider.
“I think the most important thing is to make sure that you establish a medical home with a health care provider, pediatrician, family practitioner, or whoever you see, and use them as your source of truth,” he said. “As far as what’s in the best interest of their child, if you have those questions, if you have those concerns, be open to that conversation with your health care provider so you can make a decision that is in the benefit of your child.”
WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW IN THE VIDEO PLAYER ABOVE