AAFP Vaccine Science Fellowship

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Learn more about this prestigious opportunity for a yearlong deep dive into vaccine science and policy.

The AAFP is recruiting for the Vaccine Science Fellowship Program. The program develops a group of family physicians interested in, and knowledgeable about, vaccine issues. They also help address the interactions between public health and the family medicine community.

The AAFP has three vaccine science fellowship positions available for family physicians. The selected fellows will work with mentors to become more familiar about vaccine science and policy.

Selected applicants will gain education and practical hands-on experience through meetings with experts in public health and immunization, federal and state vaccine policy groups, and vaccine manufacturers.

Application deadline: April 17, 2026

View eligibility criteria and application process
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About the vaccine fellowship

The fellowship creates a group of family physicians interested in the science of vaccine development, production and policy. This program is designed for those mid-career in their professional development. The award is granted to three fellows annually. Each fellow will work with mentors with experience in immunization policy and issues.

  • The fellowship is one year (May 1, 2026, to April 30, 2027). The applicant's institution and/or department chair must commit to allowing the time to complete the fellowship.

  • Each fellow will devote approximately 10% full-time equivalent for one year (22 days), including travel to fellowship activities. A nominal stipend will be provided.

  • Mentors will guide and assist with education-related vaccine science, policy and family medicine.

  • Fellows will participate on monthly calls to discuss immunization policies, recommendations, barriers, trends, shortages and concerns.

  • Fellows will develop self-study projects (presentations, articles, research projects, etc.) to be disseminated to AAFP members, public health officials and other groups.

  • Fellows are required to travel for vaccine-related meetings. Travel costs will be covered under the fellowship.

Note: Fellows are required to attend The Sealy Institute for Vaccine Sciences Clinical Trials Program and AAFP Family Medicine Experience (FMX), which are both in-person meetings.

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Fellowship graduates

Graduates have expressed appreciation for the program and the opportunity to develop expertise in policies and practices of immunizations, which has been applied in services to their patients, practice and community.

AAFP Vaccine Science Fellowship graduates

2009
James Loehr, MD, FAAFP (Ithaca, New York)
Everett W. Schlam, MD (Franklin Lakes, New Jersey)

 

2011
John Epling, MD, MSEd, FAAFP (Roanoke, Virginia)
Margot L. Savoy, MD, MPH, FAAFP (Wilmington, Delaware)

 

2013
Chris Lupold, MD (Lancaster, Pennsylvania)
Mary Pat Friedlander, MD (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)

 

2015
Nina Ahmad, MD (Orlando, Florida)
Melissa Martinez, MD, FAAFP (Albuquerque, New Mexico)

 

2017
Kimberly Stump, MD, MSc (Salem, Oregon)
Amra Resic, MD, FAAFP (Palm Harbor, Florida)

 

2019
Madalyn Schaefgen, MD, FAAFP (Allentown, Pennsylvania)
Adora Otiji, MD, MPH (Upper Marlboro, Maryland)

 

2021
Anne Schneider, DO (Lombard, Illinois)
Lisa Doggett, MD, MPH, FAAFP (Austin, Texas)

 

2023
Neha D. Chande, MD, MHS (Santa Monica, California)
Llewellyn Mensah, MD, MPH and TM (Gastonia, North Carolina)

2010
Elizabeth Rosenblum, MD (San Diego, California)
Paul Hunter, MD (Milwaukee, Wisconsin)

 

2012
Jeff Moore, MD (Merrill, Wisconsin)
Pamela Rockwell, DO (Ann Arbor, Michigan)

 

2014
Jennifer Hamilton, MD, PhD (Pittsburg, Pennsylvania)
Robin O'Meara, MD (Grand Rapids, Michigan)

 

2016
David Cope, MD (Bountiful, Utah)
John Merrill-Steskal, MD (Ellensburg, Washington)

 

2018
Laura Morris, MD, FAAFP (Columbia, Missouri)
Mina Khan, MD (Oneonta, Alabama)

 

2020
Gretchen LaSalle, MD, FAAFP (Spokane, Washington)
Eugene Schiff, MD, MPH (Bronx, New York)
Michele Zawora, MD, FAAFP (North Wales, Pennsylvania)

 

2022
Carlos O’Bryan-Becerra, MD, FAAFP (Ventura, California)
James Bigham, MD, MPH, FAAFP (Madison, Wisconsin)

 

2024
LaTasha Seliby Perkins, MD (Washington, DC)
Kathleen Harder-Brouwer, MD (Hamilton, Montana)

The AAFP Vaccine Science Fellowship Program is funded by an unrestricted grant from Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp.

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