Many parents are scheduling immunizations for their little ones before next school year. Finding doctors who give these immunizations usually isn't a problem, but that is changing. 27 News Reporter Kia Carter explains why.

As much as getting a vaccine hurts any little one, giving new vaccines these days means doctors are feeling pain too. The cost of giving some immunizations has become so high that some doctors are shutting the door on vaccinations.

"What we’re having is a possible crisis with the administration of vaccines," says Dr. Dennis Cooley, Pediatrician, KS American Academy of Pediatrics President-Elect.

Gardasil, a vaccine that protects against cervical cancer, costs $360 for three shots. The RotaTeq vaccine that prevents gastrointestinal infections in infants costs $180. And not all insurance companies are paying the full cost.

"Gardasil costs $120 for each purchase price and in the last month we've run across third party payers only willing to pay $60," says Dr. Cooley.

There's also manpower costs tied to giving vaccines that practices aren't getting paid for.

"I have one person who maintains the inventory, keeps records, and negotiates with the pharmaceutical industry about purchasing the vaccines. They also have to, when we have shortages, call around and try to find vaccines that we can give," says Dr. Cooley.

Practices purchase insurance on refrigerators with $75,000 worth of vaccines inside. They would be worthless if the refrigerator stopped working. All these costs add up and as more doctors, as close as Kansas City, stop giving vaccinations, parents and children will pay the price.

"Physicians are going to stop and the burden is going to be on the parent because they'll have to go to the health department to get the immunizations. Truthfully the costs have to be born by somebody and I'm afraid it's going to be the children paying more than anybody else," says Dr. Cooley.

Paying with lower immunization rates, if something doesn't change.

The national and local chapters of the American Academy of Pediatrics are starting talks with pharmaceutical companies and medical insurance providers to educate them on the costs of giving vaccines and try to find a way to keep practices from losing money if they give immunizations.