Sept. 8, 2016

Dr. Bob Sears at Dr. Sears Pediatrics & Family Medicine in Capistrano Beach. ED CRISOSTOMO, FILE PHOTO

Dr. Bob Sears, the Capistrano Beach pediatrician who is an outspoken critic of mandatory vaccination laws, faces possible state Medical Board discipline after he recommended that a 2-year-old patient forgo immunizations, according to legal documents made public Thursday.

The board accuses Sears of committing “gross negligence” in 2014 when he wrote a letter excusing the toddler from future vaccinations after the child’s mother described an adverse reaction as an infant.

The documents say Sears failed to obtain a detailed medical history documenting the unidentified boy’s prior vaccines and reactions, which was necessary for making an evidence-based decision. Sears’ recommendation left the patient and “his future contacts at risk for preventable and communicable diseases,” the documents say.

Sears declined to comment Thursday.

If the board finds Sears negligent, he could face discipline ranging from a public reprimand to revocation of his medical license.

Sears is known nationally for his unorthodox views on vaccination. He’s the author of “The Vaccine Book,” which includes a staggered, alternative shot schedule to what the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends. In a 2015 opinion piece published in the Register, Sears wrote, “Vaccination is important and protective. But it cannot be forced; a parent must give consent.”

He has also criticized California’s tough new law that no longer allows parents to file personal belief exemptions in order to enroll unvaccinated children in school. Instead, a medical waiver must be provided by a doctor.

According to the board documents, the toddler was seen by Sears for the first time in April 2014. His medical record notes that his mother said after his 2-month shots his bowels and bladder “shut down” for 24 hours. After the baby’s 3-month shots, she said, he was limp for a day and didn’t act like himself for a week.

The CDC says some reasons to avoid particular vaccines include life-threatening allergies to an included ingredient or a history of the rare autoimmune disorder Guillain-Barré syndrome. It says mild reactions to vaccines may include fever, fussiness and soreness at the injection site.

Sears wrote a letter excusing the child from future shots, which was not kept in his medical chart, the documents say. The board also seeks to discipline Sears for failure to maintain adequate and accurate records.

Contact the writer: cperkes@scng.com 714-796-3686

http://www.ocregister.com/articles/sears-728409-medical-board.html