Family Physicians Support Next Phase of Vaccine Rollout for Children Under 12
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, October 21, 2021
Statement attributable to:
Sterling N. Ransone, Jr., MD, FAAFP
President
American Academy of Family Physicians
“The American Academy of Family Physicians applauds the Biden Administration’s plan to vaccinate an estimated 28 million children ages 5-11 against COVID-19 in the coming months. Family physicians play an instrumental role in caring for, counseling and immunizing children and their families, and are well-equipped to administer the vaccine in the communities in which they serve.
“As the U.S. Food and Drug Administration moves closer to authorizing the COVID-19 vaccine for children under 12, family physicians and their primary care colleagues must be included in distribution plans that give them direct access to the vaccines. The alternative is dangerous. By not engaging primary care physicians in vaccine distribution, we risk thwarting vaccination efforts, especially among hesitant patients and parents.
“We are pleased the plan announced by the White House yesterday recognizes that the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine for young children cannot happen without family physicians and pediatricians who have formed trusted relationships with their patients and provide care in a comfortable and familiar setting. The AAFP calls on state and local jurisdictions to proactively engage with primary care physicians and prioritize community-based physician practices in the rollout of pediatric COVID-19 vaccines.
“The AAFP stands ready to work with the White House and public health officials to ensure family physicians and their primary care counterparts can administer the vaccine safely and equitably to children and their families. Family physicians are prepared to address individual concerns about the vaccine, with an emphasis on safety, efficacy, and its important role in ending this pandemic.”
Editor's Note: To arrange an interview with Dr. Ransone, contact Julie Hirschhorn, 202-655-4949, or jhirschhorn@aafp.org.
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About American Academy of Family Physicians
Founded in 1947, the AAFP represents 130,000 physicians and medical students nationwide. It is the largest medical society devoted solely to primary care. Family physicians conduct approximately one in five office visits — that’s 192 million visits annually or 48 percent more than the next most visited medical specialty. Today, family physicians provide more care for America’s underserved and rural populations than any other medical specialty. Family medicine’s cornerstone is an ongoing, personal patient-physician relationship focused on integrated care. To learn more about the specialty of family medicine and the AAFP's positions on issues and clinical care, visit www.aafp.org. For information about health care, health conditions and wellness, please visit the AAFP’s consumer website, www.familydoctor.org.