My opinion piece in The State on the defunding of mRNA vaccine research. Actions have consequences and the consequences of this one will extend far beyond access to current mRNA vaccines.

Today I treated kids who needed Medicaid for:
Asthma meds. Eczema meds. ADHD meds. Physical Therapy. Immunizations. Eyeglasses. Speech Therapy. Seizure meds. And so much more.
Medicaid is a lifeline for children.
Let's not cut that lifeline.

My pediatric office has been swamped all week.
Flu A, RSV, Covid and Strep. In that order.
Plus some suicidal teens, kids with ADHD, injuries, seizures, asthma and more.
Pediatricians are hanging on by a thread.
And the new administration may cut that thread.
Heaven help us all.

For a few weeks, I thought that the ADHD medication supply issues were improving.
Then it all imploded today.
Between each patient with flu or covid or RSV, I had to handle multiple calls from parents who couldn't find their child's ADHD meds anywhere.
We simply have to fix this.
#PedSky #MedSky

The "newly minted anti-vaxxer".
Well visit. Parents have never refused vaccines before.
Now refusing all vaccines because they "have done their research" and feel vaccines cause autism.
(Spoiler alert: they don't)
Yes, that research was internet social media.
Heaven help us all.

3 different well visits yesterday (wording varied only slightly among them):
Parent: Please give every immunization you can. And please reassure me that those vaccines will continue to be available.
Me: Happy to give all the vaccines. And I'm sorry, but I can't promise you that.😢

The GOP eliminated 190 million dollars in childhood cancer research funding from their bill.
To pay for tax cuts for the rich.
I just can't anymore...

And when my patients try to actually use their insurance, I often have to do a peer to peer call with a physician who is neither a pediatrician nor a specialist in the body system in question, to beg permission to test or treat. How does this make sense?

I have given lots of infants Beyfortus this year to prevent severe RSV infection.
My office has now sent several babies to the hospital with severe RSV.
NONE of them received Beyfortus.
Yes, this is anecdote. But studies say the same.
New parents, PLEASE get your babies Beyfortus.
It works.
#PedSky

Today's pediatrician PSA:
Leaving for work in Columbia, SC.
Our ERs are overcrowded.
Our children's hospitals are overcrowded.
Our offices are double booked and overflowing.
Please get your kids all of their vaccines.
Let's prevent what we can prevent.
Thank you.
#MedSky #PedSky

Hey Pediatricians and anyone who cares for kids!
I just donated to #HCWvsHunger as part of Team #KidVengers.
Please join us and help make sure that every child has access to healthy foods! 🍑🍉🍓🫐Here's how:
hcwvshunger.org

I've seen babies with pertussis (whooping cough). I've seen them struggle to breathe in an ICU crib.
If you haven't ever seen this, you can thank vaccines.
If you don't want to ever see this, we need to maintain high immunization rates.
It's really that simple.

Pediatricians definitely concur.
Doc McStuffins is absolutely more evidence-based than Dr. Oz.
#PedSky #MedSky

3 year well check.
Parents (2 moms): He's doing great. But how do we advocate for him and for ourselves over the next 4 years?
Me: You're already advocating by asking that question. Now let's talk about some specific ways that you can make a difference.
Being a pediatrician is truly an honor.

It's been a week.
So many parents have broken down in my office, despondent about what the election results might mean for their children's futures.
I listen. I support. I offer ideas on ways to navigate the road ahead.
It is a privilege to help these families.
But it is also absolutely exhausting.