In an effort to ensure its patients aren't exposed to potentially fatal illnesses, Crystal Lake, Ill.-based Centegra Physician Care has barred children without up-to-date vaccinations from visiting its offices.
"Our practice just hit a point where ... we thought the best thing we can do for the healthcare of the kids in our community is to say we strongly feel that they should be vaccinated," Laura Bianconi, MD, a Centegra physician, told CBS Chicago. "In fact, you can't come and see us anymore if you're not going to be vaccinated."
The policy applies only at the physician network's outpatient locations, and unvaccinated children will still be admitted to in-network emergency rooms, according to Dr. Bianconi. She told CBS Chicago the new guidelines, which do not apply to annual flu vaccinations, were bolstered by a measles outbreak in Palatine, Ill., a Chicago suburb, in February.