Dr Sarah Lawand, MD

I am extremely disappointed with our experience with this pediatrician. We brought my 10-year-old daughter in for a wellness visit while also discussing ongoing headaches and a bacterial infection she was actively dealing with. Despite this, the doctor recommended the HPV vaccine during the visit without adequately discussing potential side effects, timing, or whether it made sense to postpone until she was feeling fully well. Within days of receiving the vaccine, my daughter developed severe arm pain, underarm pain, and limited mobility significant enough to require additional medical evaluation and follow-up care. Watching your child cry in pain and struggle to lift her arm has been incredibly distressing as a parent. What was most upsetting was the lack of communication, empathy, and guidance after the reaction occurred. We ultimately sought a second opinion because we did not feel properly supported or reassured throughout the process. I understand that vaccines are routine and… that reactions can happen, but parents deserve thoughtful care, clear communication, and individualized medical judgment — especially when a child is already dealing with other health concerns. Unfortunately, that was not our experience here.