Immunization Resources for Media

AAFP Supports Maintaining Universal Hepatitis B Vaccination at Birth | AAFP
The AAFP strongly supports maintaining universal Hep B vaccination at birth, and we call on the CDC to ensure this life-saving protection remains the standard of care.

AAFP: Linking Vaccines to Autism is Unproven and Dangerous | AAFP
Decades of rigorous research have failed to provide credible scientific evidence linking vaccines to autism. Continued claims about a vaccine-autism link risk public health by causing people to delay or defer vaccination out of fear.

Family Physicians Caution Removing the Choice of the Combined MMRV Vaccine Will Have Public Health Consequences | AAFP
The ACIP vote to no longer provide parents the choice of the combination MMRV vaccine for children under four years old could limit access to vaccination against preventable diseases and undermines efforts to protect vulnerable populations.

Immunizations and vaccines
The AAFP’s hub for resources, updates and education related to immunizations and vaccines.

Familydoctor.org Vaccine Hub
Familydoctor.org is the AAFP’s patient-facing website that provides health information on a variety of health topics including vaccines. The vaccine hub compiles information on vaccines for all ages from routine childhood immunizations to adult vaccinations and seasonal vaccines like COVID-19 and flu.

Immunization Schedules
These immunization schedules adopted by the AAFP show when children, teens and adults should receive recommended vaccines. Following the right schedule ensures you or your child gets the best protection at the right time.

Vaccine Myths Versus Facts
There are many common misconceptions regarding vaccines. Use this evidence-based information to clear up any confusion.

Childhood Vaccines: Why Your Child Needs Them
Vaccines are important. They not only help keep children healthy, they help all children by limiting the spread of disease and possibly eliminating serious childhood diseases.

Complete Guide to Flu Vaccines
The best defense we have against the flu is to get a vaccine each year before flu season begins. The AAFP recommends everyone older than 6 months get vaccinated every year.

COVID-19 Health Hub
Information on COVID-19 from symptoms and diagnosis to treatment and prevention for patients of all ages.

RSV Health Hub
RSV causes serious illness, especially among older patients and infants. Learn about prevention options for different ages, how pregnant patients can protect themselves and their babies and answers to commonly asked questions about RSV.

AAFP Policies: Immunizations
AAFP has longstanding policies regarding cost, access, distribution, coverage, payment and supply of vaccines.

AAFP Policy: Immunization Exemptions
With the exception of policies which allow for exemption from required vaccination for a medical contraindication, the AAFP does not support other immunization exemption policies.

Family physicians are well-equipped to speak to the importance of vaccination and immunizations at every age. See where we’ve been on the record:

Unbiased Science: Adult Vaccines: Another Round of Shots 6/26

Unbiased Science: Pediatric Vaccines are a System, While Adult Vaccines are Often Left Up to “Vibes”

Verywell Health: Childhood Vaccination Rates Are Dropping. What’s Behind the Decline? 4/26

The Hill: RSV season runs into spring 4/26

Rolling Out: Dr. Kisha Davis on why vaccines are still worth it 3/26

Yahoo!: CDC: Measles cases surge six times higher than expected for an entire year 3/26

HealthCentral: Expert Tips for Chronic Families to Avoid Catching the Flu, COVID, RSV, and Other Viruses 2/26

Medscape: Home test for respiratory viruses no substitute for office visit 2/26

KENS-TV: Healthy SA: Life-saving vaccines for those with chronic conditions is a must 1/26

Everyday Health: Your Child’s Pediatrician May Oppose New CDC Vaccine Limits: What to Know 1/26

Washington Post: Got the flu? Here’s what to know about antivirals to fight it. 1/26

Chief Healthcare Executive: Family doctors face more vaccine confusion 1/26

Medical Economics: Best of 2025: Vaccination expert panel takes on misinformation 1/26

NBC News Now: Flu cases continue to surge across the country 12/25

Wall Street Journal: CDC Approves New Covid-19 Vaccine Guidelines. How to Get a Booster Shot. 10/25

SELF: Getting a COVID Shot During Pregnancy Benefits Mom and Baby  9/25

WSVN: CDC warns flu season could start in October, recommends getting flu shot early 9/25

Medical Economics: Vaccine advocates urge ACIP to maintain public access to shots they say are saving lives 9/25

WebMD: 10 Questions ‘Healthy Adults’ Should Ask About the COVID Shot 9/25

Oprah Daily: ‘Can I Skip the COVID Booster This Fall?’ The Confusion Is Real—Here’s How to Navigate the New Rules 9/25

MedCentral: 6 New Ways to Address Vaccine Hesitancy 9/25

Parents: Childhood Vaccination Rates Are Dropping—What Parents Need To Know 8/25

Q: Why is it important for patients to receive recommended vaccinations, especially before the school year begins?

A: Every member of the family should be up-to-date on their vaccinations. Immunizations are among the most cost-effective and successful ways to keep ourselves, our families and our communities healthy. Vaccination is preventive care, just like wearing a seatbelt, managing blood pressure or getting regular screenings. It doesn’t eliminate every risk, but it significantly improves the odds of staying healthy. When you get vaccinated, you protect yourself and those around you, including those who are unable to get vaccinated, such as infants under 6 months old and those who have weak immune systems.

Family physicians help parents understand how immunizations protect children from serious diseases and support their ability to learn, grow and thrive. Staying up to date on recommended vaccinations helps children stay healthy, participate in school and activities and continue building the social and emotional connections that are critical to their development.

Q: How do family physicians help ensure everyone receives their recommended vaccinations?

A: Understanding immunization schedules and keeping up with changing vaccine recommendations can be overwhelming, but family physicians can ensure that every member of a family receives the vaccines they need to stay healthy. Working together, parents and family physicians can make informed decisions about what is best for themselves and their children based on age and health history.

Family physicians can help patients navigate which vaccines they need and how different vaccines work. Patients trust their family physicians and can rely on them for accurate information and guidance.

Q: How do family physicians address questions or concerns about vaccines and help patients make informed decisions about vaccination?

A: Family physicians understand that parents and patients want to make the best possible decisions for themselves and their families. It’s natural to have questions about vaccines, and family doctors are there to listen, provide information and have open conversations about any concerns.

Family physicians take time to explain how vaccines work, how they are tested and monitored for safety and why they are recommended. They use clear, easy-to-understand language, drawing on scientific evidence, trusted public health guidance and their own clinical experience to help patients make informed decisions about their health.

Trust in family physicians remains strong. According to the 2026 Edelman Trust Barometer, 81% of respondents said their doctor is their most trusted source of health care information. Through trusted relationships, open dialogue and personalized guidance, family physicians help patients feel informed and confident in the health decisions they make for themselves and their families.

Q: What barriers impact access to vaccines?

A: Regardless of economic and insurance status, children and adults should have access to all recommended immunizations. Family physicians play an important role in ensuring all members of the community can receive the COVID-19 vaccine, flu vaccine and other routine immunizations that prevent dangerous diseases.

According to the CDC, 27.2 million people in the U.S. are uninsured, which is an important predictor of low vaccine uptake. Low vaccination rates among adults in racial and ethnic minority groups are even lower for those without health insurance. A lack of health literacy can also create barriers to vaccine access for patients of color, low-income patients, rural patients and patients in underserved areas.

For families living in rural areas, receiving immunizations from an office-based family physician may be the only option. Policies and programs aimed at increasing access to vaccines as well as better coordination of vaccine distribution can help improve vaccine uptake in rural and underserved areas.

For more resources on immunizations, visit the AAFP’s consumer website, https://familydoctor.org.