Your practice is where vaccine confidence gets built.
Join an AAFP immunization initiative and get the tools, training and support to strengthen every immunization conversation in your practice. Just 25 practices per program. Apply by Aug. 10. Explore programs.
Immunization and vaccine schedules and resources
Help your patients stay current on vaccines with the AAFP's recommendations and schedules for 2026.
2026 immunization recommendations
AAFP President Sarah C. Nosal, M.D., on vaccine schedules, stocking costs and the back-to-school visit | Medical Economics
Measles cases reach 35-year high: What doctors and hospitals should do | Chief Healthcare Executive
Adult Vaccines: Another Round of Shots - Dr. Sarah Nosal discusses the importance of adult vaccines | Unbiased Science podcast (video)
Childhood Vaccination Rates Are Dropping. What’s Behind the Decline?| Verywell Health
Dr. Kisha Davis on why vaccines are still worth it | Rolling Out
AAFP Supports Maintaining Universal Hepatitis B Vaccination at Birth | AAFP Statement
Linking Vaccines to Autism is Unproven and Dangerous | AAFP Statement
Answering common questions about vaccination
All adults, children and families should stay up to date on recommended vaccines to keep themselves and their loved ones healthy.
The following resources can guide your conversations with patients about vaccines, helping you give recommendations confidently and separate myth from fact when it comes to immunization.
Anticipatory guidance to recommend routine vaccination: Learn about this counseling technique for adults and children.
How to approach conversations with parents about routine pediatric vaccination: Prep for answering questions that help patients make informed decisions.
How vaccines keep you healthy: A guide from Champions for Vaccine Education, Equity + Progress (CVEEP). A version in Spanish is also available.
Building confidence when talking to parents about children’s vaccines: Address 10 common questions parents may have about vaccines for children.
Vaccine myths versus facts: Resources from the AAFP’s Trusted Health Education from Family Physicians | familydoctor.org to help clear up misconceptions about vaccines.
How mRNA vaccines work: Safety, effectiveness and key facts: Prepare for patient conversations around vaccination for the next respiratory season
mRNA Vaccines: Safety, Science and Confidence: This video reviews how mRNA vaccines work, what decades of research shows and how to have these conversations with your patients.
Champions for Vaccine Education, Equity and Progress (CVEEP) Explainer video series
Video 1: How new vaccines are developed Watch video
Video 2: How vaccines work Watch video
Video 3: How viruses change Watch video
Inside Family Medicine podcasts
Behind every vaccine question is a person
Vaccine conversations have changed. Patients are asking new questions, trust is harder to earn and clinicians are navigating increasingly complex discussions in limited time. In this episode of Inside Family Medicine, host Rebecca Fuller Beeler, PhD, vice president of Integrated Marketing Communications at the AAFP is joined by public health scientist and founder of Unbiased Science Jess Steier, DrPH. Together, they discuss why facts alone are often not enough, how empathy and listening can strengthen vaccine conversations, and what physicians can do to support patients before, during and after clinical visits.
Educating Knowledge About mRNA Vaccines
In this episode of Inside Family Medicine, host Michael Monroe speaks with AAFP Vaccine Science fellows Dr. Anne Schneider and Dr. Mina Saleem Khan about why mRNA vaccines matter and how family physicians can address patient questions and misinformation. They explain mRNA basics, review COVID-19 vaccine safety and efficacy, address common myths, and share practical communication strategies—such as empathetic counseling, presumptive recommendations, and team-based systems—to reduce missed vaccination opportunities.
Shared clinical decision-making about vaccines is not a new challenge for primary care clinicians. As you cultivate trust and build longitudinal relationships with your patients, use these resources to empower them to make evidence-based, well-informed decisions to prevent illness and optimize wellness.
Clinical Guidance: a quick-reference summary of the AAFP’s recommendations for selected adult vaccines.
Guide to shared clinical decision-making (SCDM) for adult immunizations: This guide distinguishes SCDM recommendations from routine, catch-up and risk-based recommendations, answers common questions about implementing SCDM in practice and outlines a practical approach to support informed vaccine decisions and consistent documentation.
Implementing an Office Champions Quality Improvement model: Learn about Quality improvement models for family physician practices, which enhance efficiency and patient care and improve staff satisfaction through a team-led approach integrated into daily workflows.
Using shared clinical decision-making with patients: It’s important to recommend vaccinations at every patient visit. Encourage vaccine uptake by engaging patients in shared clinical decisionmaking (SCDM).
Implementing a shared clinical decision-making framework for immunizations: This resources provides you with four steps to implement shared clinical decision-making (SCDM) for immunizations.
Implementing standing orders for immunizations: Standing orders are written protocols that authorize qualified health care professionals—such as nurses or pharmacists—to assess and administer vaccines without a physician order if patients meet defined criteria. Following the seven steps detailed in this PDF can streamline workflows, increase vaccination rates and reduce missed immunization opportunities.
The Importance of Adult Immunizations: Now is the time to vaccinate. Use this supplement to address adult vaccination gaps to improve adult patient outcomes, reduce health inequities and build community immunity.
Policies
These policies outline the AAFP’s positions on vaccine access, cost, coverage, distribution and exemptions.
Related resources
Share your stories to build trust with patients: Your experience with vaccines can help patients understand the benefits. Read more.
AAFP Vaccine Science Fellowship: Designed for mid-career family physicians interested in the science of vaccine development, production and policy. Learn more.