Pioneer Valley Pediatrics

11/21/2025

Just in case you missed our last post, the scientific evidence IS strong!!! Vaccines do NOT cause autism. To claim otherwise is not only incorrect, it is dangerous. We will always share with our families the most up to date, fact based information. That’s why you trust us to care for your littles! (And bigs!)

A lock icon ( ) or https:// means you've safely connected to the official website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

11/21/2025

AAP President Dr. Susan J. Kressly responds to the recent changes on the CDC’s website - “The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website has been changed to promote false information suggesting vaccines cause autism. Since 1998, independent researchers across seven countries have conducted more than 40 high-quality studies involving over 5.6 million people. The conclusion is clear and unambiguous: There’s no link between vaccines and autism. Anyone repeating this harmful myth is misinformed or intentionally trying to mislead parents.

We call on the CDC to stop wasting government resources to amplify false claims that sow doubt in one of the best tools we have to keep children healthy and thriving: routine immunizations. The American Academy of Pediatrics stands with members of the autism community who have asked for support in stopping this rumor from spreading any further."

11/11/2025

Why is it sometimes just when you think your child is in a great sleep groove (finally!) things go back to terrible??? And what can you do to fix it???
Our favorite sleep colleague and friend discusses sleep regression in this recent article.

Discover practical tips from Dr. Craig Canapari to handle sleep regression and help your child get back to a regular sleep schedule. Say goodbye to sleepless nights with these strategies!

11/05/2025

Some tips for dealing with food insecurity during the government shut down

​Worried about feeding your family during the government shutdown? Learn what to do if your SNAP benefits are delayed or reduced — including where to find free food resources, baby formula, school meals, and WIC support. Get expert, family-focused tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics.

11/05/2025

PVP is holding a Food Drive!!!!!!
Families rely on Food Banks now more than ever to feed their children healthy food.
At PVP we love caring for kids and our communities. We will be collecting food donations from November 11th through December 12th.

Kids and teens LOVE the chance to help out their neighbors!

We invite you to discuss PVP’s food drive with your children and see where your conversations about community service lead!
For those who are able, feel free to drop off your food donations at either office and we will take care of getting it to one of these local Food Banks:

The Enfield Food Shelf
Longmeadow Food Pantry
East Longmeadow Food Pantry

10/31/2025

Happy Halloween from your PVP family!!!! Be safe. Be smart. Have fun!!!! 🎃👻

10/15/2025

We have understandably been getting more and more questions at our visits about information in the media these days... it can be so confusing to be a parent and not know what is scientifically fact and what is opinion. Check out this website by the American Academy of Pediatrics that checks the facts for you! You can be sure our evidence based care of your family is rooted in science 🧐👩‍🔬👩‍⚕️🔬🩺❤️

Pediatricians weigh in to address the latest misinformation by providing clear, science-backed messaging to support children and families.

09/25/2025

It has unfortunately been a very confusing week to be a parent in the United States. We be posting some helpful links with scientifically sound information and recommendations to help clear things up!

09/24/2025

Hi PVP parents!
Some of you may be wondering why babies receive Hepatitis B vaccines. Good question!
This week's Just the Facts addresses the Hepatitis B vaccine for children.

Why a Hep B birth dose?
The claim:
With ACIP expected to recommend getting rid of the Hepatitis B vaccine at birth and delaying it to age 4, we want to talk about why the vaccine is given at birth.

The facts:
Hepatitis B (Hep B) can spread through s*x, but that’s not the only way it spreads. Doctors recommend giving babies the Hep B vaccine at birth because many babies were being born to mothers who didn’t know they had the infection. Scientists believe that about 30–40% of people with long-lasting (chronic) Hep B got it either when they were born or when they were very young. Only about half of mothers with Hep B are found before they give birth.

Even today, around 25,000 babies in the U.S. are born each year to moms with Hep B. If a newborn catches it, about 90% of them will stay infected for life. This raises their chances of liver disease and liver cancer later on.

There are many reasons why mothers don’t know they have Hep B. The test for Hep B is harder to understand than some other tests. A mom might get infected after her first test during pregnancy, but before giving birth. Tests can also be wrong sometimes, showing a false “negative.” Mistakes can happen too—like ordering the wrong test, reading the results wrong, or not sharing the results clearly.

Hepatitis B can also live outside the body for up to 7 days, even in dried blood. That means it can spread in other ways, too, like through bites in daycare, dirty needles, or bandages left in public places. This doesn’t happen often, but it’s still possible.

The Hep B vaccine is very safe. The most common side effects are just soreness or pain where the shot was given. Serious side effects are extremely rare—so rare that none have been proven after millions of doses. Because the vaccine is safe, and babies can get Hep B at birth or soon after, doctors give the first dose right when a baby is born.

Your PVP doctors are always here to answer any questions about vaccines that you may have! Thank you for letting us care for your children!