SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — Doctors at Avera and Sanford hospitals say they’ve noticed patients asking more questions when it comes to vaccines.
“I would say there’s probably been a little bit of an uptick in that,” Avera family medicine physician Dr. Chad Thury said. “That’s been trending over the last number of years.”
Both hospitals tell KELOLAND News they stand by vaccinations and their purpose.
“Whether you talk to our family medicine doctors or whether you talk to our pediatricians, all of them will tell you that vaccines continue to prevent illness and save lives,” Sanford Chief Medical Officer Dr. Jeremy Cauwels said.
Doctors say the impact can go beyond just health. Dr. Thury says there can be economic impacts of vaccines, too.
“I always remind people when you get influenza or if you get sick from pneumonia, that’s usually time out of work. If kids get sick, that’s time out of school. For most parents, that means they’re home with the kids as well,” Dr. Thury said.
Sanford’s Dr. Cauwels wants to reassure people that vaccinations are safe. As cold and flu season approaches, he encourages people to stay up to date with immunizations.
“They’ve all been studied. They’ve all been looked over carefully by lots of experts,” Dr. Cauwels said. “I can tell you that sitting down with your local doctor is going to be the best way for you to decide what is the right vaccine and what are the right things for you.”
Both hospitals acknowledge that some controversy still exists surrounding vaccines. This week, Florida shared its plan to phase out all childhood vaccine mandates. It’s the first U.S. state to do so.
Avera and Sanford hospitals encourage patients to ask their doctor any questions they may have about vaccinations.
