Lewis Pediatrics

09/03/2026

TWO TOO MANY
Two patients have died from measles in Pennsylvania. One was a newborn infant, too young to receive the vaccine. And just because RFK Jr and his minions have ignored the findings in these two cases, we now have two deaths that were preventable. Unfortunately, people around them were not immunized, putting the child at risk. This highlights how important it is for everyone to receive routine immunizations -- to protect those who are too young to receive the vaccine. With 393 reported cases in Pennsylvania, this puts the mortality rate at 1 in 200 which is significantly less than the 1 in 1000 cases that we have experienced in the past.

Cases of measles are now climbing to close to 3000, over 20% more than the total cases seen all of last year. We are also seeing cases rise in central New York. 28 cases have been reported outside of NYC. Over the past week, six cases have been reported in upstate NY. Two cases each in Jefferson, Steuben and Ontario Counties.There are probably more cases that go unreported. We have been monitoring the spread of measles and now believe that it is wise to administer the second dose of MMR as soon as possible (28 days after the first dose). Although the first dose is extremely protective (93% coverage), the second dose increases that to 97-98% coverage (for children who do not develop adequate immunity with the first dose).

It is unfathomable to think that a disease that was almost eradicated in the US in 2000, is now at levels not seen since 1991 and responsible for 5 preventable deaths in the last 2 years. The rate of immunization for measles in kindergarten children has decreased substantially with the average immunization rate in NY state at 80.9% which is substantially lower than the 95% to maintain herd immunity. Why do our leaders keep telling us that measles is nothing to worry about?

And, I hate to be repetitive, but just because these same people believe that if they say something (no matter have false it is) often enough, it is true. Look at their social messaging, the rhetoric reminds of taunts by the grade school bullies. Come on, how can you take anything they say as vaild. It is important to follow the science and the recommendations of experts who actually went to medical school. Vaccines save lives!

We have stocked up on MMR vaccine so if you have a child between the ages of 13 months and 4 years who has not received a second MMR, please consider getting it earlier.

We at Lewis Pediatrics want to do what is best for our patients. Thanks for listening and, more importantly, thanks for entrusting us with the health care of your children.

08/12/2026

"Either Help or Do No Harm"

Although the phrase that a physician should “either help or do no harm” is thought to come from the Hippocratic Oath, it actually is from a different Hippocratic text, The Epidemics, which is a Latin text originating in the 19th century. The Hippocratic Oath translates to “I will use treatment to help the sick according to my ability and judgment, but never with a view to injury and wrongdoing.”
So why should this piece of trivia, have any significance? It is only fitting that the famous phrase, a modern summary of sentiment from the Hippocratic Oath, “first do no harm” comes to mind when contemplating the serious consequences that could result from President Trump’s simple scribble of his signature.
President Trump and Robert F Kennedy Jr may be many things (politics aside), but the two things that they are not, are scientists and physicians. Perhaps that is why they feel so comfortable making “recommendations” that have no basis in science and that could ultimately cause significant harm. Our current vaccine schedule is based on years of study and scientific evidence that has resulted in the marked decrease in infectious diseases that were responsible for the deaths of many children and adults in the past. How quickly we forget the devastation of diseases like polio, measles, whooping cough to name a few.
By simple statements made by DJT and RFK Jr, based on hearsay, President Trump’s comments when signing his executive order “recommending” changes to the vaccine schedules were based on “having heard people say things.” WHAT? RFK Jr, by throwing doubt into the safety of the measles vaccine has resulted in the US seeing more measles cases the first seven months of 2026 that all of 2025 and the most cases since 1991.
Why do we follow the advice of people who believe that if they say something enough, it will become true? Why do we put the health of our children in hands of two men with absolutely zero medical knowledge or scientific backgrounds? One of whom has made millions of dollars suing vaccine producers.
And while I am at it, how can Senator William Cassidy be so incensed over this executive order? If it wasn’t for his vote, based on RFK Jr’s promise to not upend the immunization schedule (REALLY), we wouldn’t be in this situation. Senator Cassidy put his political future ahead of the oath he took upon graduating from medical school and look where that got him . Now he is concerned about the havoc being wreaked on our health care system.
New York State Health Commissioner James McDonald issued the following statement.
“This Executive Order doesn’t change New York State’s immunization requirements or recommendations. To be clear: no new research was presented. Vaccines are the best protection for our children and under Governor Kathy Hochul, New York has the strongest public health standards in the country. With measles cases on the rise across the country, now is not the time to confuse the public. The MMR vaccine has been protecting children for over 55 years. Splitting it into three visits offers no clinical advantage and requires children to have more shots and parents to have more office visits while providing no additional medical benefit. Here in New York, we will continue to be guided by the science.”
When all is said and done, we at Lewis Pediatrics will also follow the science and the recommendations by real doctors and scientists and continue to adhere to the immunization schedule recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

07/16/2026

I would like to share the American Academy of Pediatrics' information on Cyclosporiasis. This outbreak comes at a time when we also see a surge in viral illnesses that cause diarrhea. One of the first things we were taught in medical school is "if you hear hoof beats, think horse not zebra." Viral illnesses are much more common than parasitic.

However, taking appropriate precautions to minimize risk of cyclosporiasis is wise.

Learn what parents need to know about cyclosporiasis in children, including symptoms, how the parasite spreads, diagnosis, treatment, foodborne outbreaks and tips to prevent infection.​

06/12/2026

MEASLES MOVES INTO BUFFALO

Buffalo is now not just the home of the Bills and the Sabres, but also 2 cases of measles. 2030 confirmed cases of measles have been reported in the US as of June 4th. We are very close to surpassing last year’s number of 2288, which is not something to be proud of.
To put this in context, the US had 49 confirmed cases in 2021, 121 cases in 2022, 59 cases in 2023 and 285 cases in 2024. MMR vaccination in US kindergartners has declined from 95.2% in the 2019-2020 school year, to 92.5% in 2024-25. Although a 2.5% drop does not seem that significant, it represents about 286,000 kindergartners who are at risk. The threshold for community immunity is a 95% vaccination rate.
With measles now just 70 miles away, we may need to consider the second dose of MMR sooner than the usual 4-year visit. With a second dose of MMR given as soon as 28 days after the first we can achieve 97-98% immunity.
We will keep you informed if we start to see more cases in western NY.

06/01/2026

Is Summer Finally Here?
Lewis Pediatrics
June 1, 2026
June is busting out all over, the sun is out, the end of the school year is in sight. And, the number of ticks be of ticks being found on children and pets skyrocketing. Because of the moist spring and climate change, the tick population (not to mention deer and mice which are important vectors in the life cyle of deer ticks) is thriving.

We are getting calls daily about ticks being found on patients and questions about treating with preventative antibiotics. The most important steps you can take are to limit your children’s exposure to tiTry to keep them out of tall grass and woods where deer and mice might roam. Long pants and sleeves with elastic can prevent ticks landing on exposed skin. Insect/tick repellent used judiciously can also help. Most importantly checking for ticks on a daily/nightly basis will assure that any tick exposure will be less than 24 hours.

Antibiotic prophylaxis is indicated for nonpregnant adults and children who meet all of the following criteria:

•Attached tick is identified as an adult or nymphal I. scapularis tick (deer tick).

•Tick is estimated to have been attached for ≥36 hours based on degree of engorgement or time of exposure.

•Prophylaxis is begun within 72 hours of tick removal.

Illustration comparing sizes and appearances of Blacklegged, Lone Star, and Dog ticks at adult, nymph, and larva stages, with a dime for scale and a close-up of an engorged female tick.

03/13/2026

The weather is beginning to tease us with thoughts about sunshine, warm temperatures, and spring time. For those with seasonal allergies, climate change has made for earlier and more severe seasonal allergies. The weather produces more, and to an extent, more potent pollen. For anyone with spring allergies (tree pollen), it is a good time to start taking medication.

Over the counter antihistamines like Zyrtec, Claritin or Allegra provide extended relief without making you drowsy. These need to be started before the season to prevent histamine release and its symptoms of itchy runny nose and itchy watery eyes. For children over 6 years, allergists also recommend nasal steroids like Flonase (fluticasone) or nasal antihistamines like Astepro (azelastine) to stable the cells in your nose that release histamine.

When the pollen starts to fly, you can also consider some other things to minimize symptoms. Keep pollen levels in the house to a minimum. Avoid takinig clothes off in the bedroom to prevent distributing pollen from clothes to the sleeping environment. Wash your face and hands when coming indoors.

And, for Spring Break travel, please note that there have been over 1100 cases of measles reported in the first 2 months of 2026 compared to 2281 for all of 2025. (these numbers probably under estimate the true number since many are not reported). South Carolina has been hardest hit, but Florida and Utah are not far behind. Cases have been reported in many more states. At this rate, we could see over 6000 cases this year and too many unnecessary deaths from measles.

If you are planning to travel to areas with outbreaks, immunization is your best protection. Please check your own status as well as your children's. MMR is typical given at 1 and 4 years with excellent protection (93% after the first dose and 97-98% with the second). If necessary, the 2nd dose can be given as soon as 28 days after the first. For children between 6 and 12 months of age, a dose can be given, but they will still need 2 doses after 1 year of age.

01/09/2026

Polka Dots are Cute - Measles are Not!

2025 saw more cases of measles since 1991. The final tallies are in and there were 2144 cases of measles reported (the numbers may actually be higher). There were 49 outbreaks in 45 different areas compared to 16 outbreaks the year before. 69% were in children and adolescents. 93% were in patients who were unvaccinated or whose vaccination status was unknown. 240 people were hospitalized with measles and complications and 2 children and 1 adult died from an infection that is preventable.

The measles vaccine (in a combination with mumps and rubella-German measles) is extremely safe and very effective. One dose is 93% effective against measle, and two doses are 97% effective.

Measles is a highly contagious virus. One infected person can infect 12-18 unimmunized people compared to influenza where 1 person can spread the virus to 1.5-2 people or Ebola virus where 1 person can spread the virust to 1.5-2.5 people.

The MMR vaccine at 12 months and the MMRV (with chickenpox) vaccine at 4 years are part of the recommend vaccine schedule. The second dose of the vaccine can be given as soon as 28 days after the first dose if there is a possibility of exposure.

We continue to follow the vaccine schedule recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the NY State Department of Health. Please feel free to reach out to us if you have any questions.

From all of us at Lewis Pediatrics - Best Wishes for a Happy and Healthy 2026!

12/16/2025

From one of the most respected vaccine experts

Anti-vaccine activists RFK Jr., Aaron Siri, and Steve Kirsch have asked that I debate them on vaccine safety. One of them offered me $1 million to do it. Here’s why I declined.

12/12/2025

3PEAT

We have been named the Best Pediatric Practice in the Rochester Community Choice Awards for the 3rd year in a row. Although this is just a popularity contest, we are grateful to all of our supporters who voted and voted and voted for us again this year.

12/05/2025

We took a HUGE step backwards today.

A sad, sad day for the children of the United States. To paraphrase Neil Armstrong and his first words on the moon, this is "a small step backward for the ACIP and a giant leap backwards for the well-being of our children."

The science supports the current hepatitis b vaccine recommendations, not the whims of a panel of "advisors" who do not have the creds to make decisions that could jeopardize the health and future of our children. Although they have opted to eliminate the birth dose of the vaccine, I, along with the vast majority of pediatricians and the American Academy of Pediatrics, will continue to follow the current guidelines. We will discuss and support the birth dose of hepatitis B vaccine and will definitely encourage our families to start the vaccine series by 2 months of age. We will also follow the guidelines put forth by the AAP, our professional organization and the NY State Department of Health along with the Northeast Coalition of states supporting the current vaccine schedules. The CDC can no longer be considered a reliable source of information.

This is, most likely, the first of many poor decisions that the ACIP will make under Mr. Kennedy's rule. Pediatricians as well as parents will get to see illnesses that they have only seen in textbooks. I am old enough to have diagnosed 2 cases of measles and 1 of mumps and have seen babies die from whooping cough, haemophilus influenza b, pneumococcus and meningococcus infections. I have been lucky enough to practice in an era where we have increased our ability to safely prevent this infections with vaccines. When I started my practice in 1981, we immunized against 7 infections. Since then, our vaccines have become much more refined with significantly fewer side effects, and we now routinely protect against 15 potentially fatal infections. These are scientific advances. To coin another phrase, "Vaccines cause adults."

And, I continue to take issue with Senator Cassidy, who now voices his concerns about the proceedings of the committee. If he had not put politics ahead of the Hippocratic Oath when approving Mr. Kennedy's appointment, we might not be in this situation.

We at Lewis Pediatrics will continue be here for you, address your questions and concerns, provide you with the best information we can, and put your health and the health of your children as our top priority. Thank you for the honor of caring for your families.