• Immunization Resources for Media

    AAFP resources, policies, news and research to help journalists cover health topics related to immunizations.


    For Media Inquiries, Contact

    Julie Hirschhorn
    Public Relations Manager
    jhirschhorn@aafp.org

    Emily Holwick
    Public Relations Strategist
    eholwick@aafp.org

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    Hear from AAFP Leaders:

    Video interviews with AAFP president-elect, Dr. Jen Brull, AAFP president, Dr. Steven P. Furr and AAFP board member, Dr. Jay Lee discussing the importance of immunization and the role family physicians play in administering vaccines and addressing vaccine hesitancy. 

    If you would like to set up additional media interviews, please contact Emily Holwick.


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

    COVID-19 Vaccine updates
    The AAFP’s latest information on COVID-19 vaccines, including clinical guidance and news updates.

    Immunization Schedules
    2024 recommended immunization schedules for children, adolescents and adults.

    Robert Graham Center: Uniting Public Health and Primary Care for Healthy Communities in the COVID-19 Era and Beyond
    A report from AAFP’s Robert Graham Center explores how the COVID-19 pandemic offers an opportunity to reunite and align the shared goals of public health and primary care.

    Robert Graham Center: Family Physicians play a crucial role in youth COVID-vaccination
    A report from the AAFP’s Robert Graham Center explores how family physicians are essential in making sure children receive the vaccines they need, especially in areas where they are the only clinicians. 

    Source: Robert Graham Center

    2024 Vaccine Science Fellows Will Help Advance Public Health
    The AAFP’s Vaccine Science Fellowship program helps develop family physicians’ skills and knowledge surrounding vaccination and addresses connections between public health and family medicine. 

    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. 

    Academy Affirms CDC COVID Booster Recommendation  3/24
    After an expedited evidence review, the AAFP approved a CDC recommendation that older adults receive a COVID-19 booster vaccine in the spring.

    Surveys Take Population-Level Look at Vaccines  12/23
    Survey data from three patient populations looks at vaccine coverage, disparities and the impact of misinformation on vaccination. 

    Academy Greenlights Federal Actions on Maternal RSV Vaccine  10/23
    The AAFP formally approved federal actions that allow an RSV vaccine to be used in patients in the third trimester of pregnancy to protect infants from severe lower respiratory tract disease.

    America’s Leading Physician Groups Unequivocally Support COVID-19 Vaccines  2/24
    The AAFP joined with other health organizations to urge Congress to recognize how COVID-19 vaccines protect and save millions of lives and encourage vaccination. 

    Obstetric Care Professionals Recommend RSV Vaccine for Pregnant Individuals  10/23
    The AAFP joined with other health organizations to support the CDC’s recommendations for RSV vaccination during pregnancy to prevent lower respiratory tract infections in infants.

    AAFP Encouraged by New RSV Vaccine Recommendations, Efforts to Protect Americans Against COVID-19, Flu, Mpox  (6/23)
    “The AAFP is optimistic that ACIP voted to approve recommendations for new RSV vaccines, which are intended for adults aged 60 and older, adding a critical frontline of defense for older adults who are at risk for severe disease caused by RSV.”

    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:

    USA Today: Get an updated COVID-19 vaccine, flu shot this fall: CDC panel 6/24

    New York Times: New Covid Shots Recommended for Americans 6 Months and Older This Fall - The New York Times 6/24

    TIME: The Vaccines You'll Need This Fall and Winter 6/24

    Medpage Today: Congress Should Simplify Medicare's Vaccine Coverage  3/24 

    US News Opinion: Measles Outbreaks Highlight Just How Vital Vaccinations Are 2/24

    PBS News: As COVID cases rise, doctors worry about the consequences of misinformation  1/24

    Wall Street Journal: When to Get Your Covid Booster, Flu Vaccine or RSV Shot This Fall  9/23

    Washington Post: What to know about fall flu, covid and RSV vaccines for kids  9/23 

    COVID-19 raises anxiety at start of new school year  9/23

    U.S. News: To Have a Healthy School Year, Ensure Everyone Has Access to Immunizations | Healthiest Communities 8/23

    Seattle Times: We must regain public trust in immunizations  8/23

    When to Get Your Covid Booster, Flu Vaccine or RSV Shot This Fall - WSJ (8/23)

    We must regain public trust in immunizations  (8/23)

    RSV Vaccines: What to Know For Babies, Pregnant Women and Older Adults (8/23)

    New vaccines this fall could weaken the respiratory virus season  (8/23)

    Older adults first in line for RSV vaccines, but will they roll up their sleeves?  (8/23)

    CDC recommends pricey RSV protection (8/23)

    CDC panel recommends drug that prevents RSV for babies  (8/23)

    Childhood vaccinations falter ahead of crucial fall season (8/23)

    Doctors say keiki should get vaccinated before start of school year (8/23)

     

     

     

    AFP Topic Collection: Immunizations
    This collection features the best content from AFP on child and adult immunizations (excluding influenza) and related issues.

    AFP Topic Collection: Influenza
    This collection features the best content from AFP on influenza and related issues, including influenza vaccination and avian influenza.

    Advocacy Focus: Vaccines and Immunizations
    The AAFP advocates at the federal and state levels to improve vaccination access, administration and uptake.

    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, especially as the school year approaches. Vaccines are safe, effective and save lives. Immunizations are among the most cost-effective and successful ways to keep ourselves, our families and our communities healthy. When you get vaccinated, you protect yourself and those around you. Your vaccination status impacts those who are unable to get vaccinated, such as infants under 6 months old and those who have weak immune systems.

    The best way to prevent getting seriously ill, being hospitalized, or even dying, from an infectious disease is to get immunized. This includes flu vaccines, COVID-19 bivalent vaccines, and other childhood immunizations, as recommended by the CDC and AAFP.

    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 recommended vaccinations. Parents should talk to their family physician about which vaccines are appropriate for their child’s age and grade.

    Family physicians are well-equipped to administer vaccines to all members of the family and counsel patients on which vaccines they need and how different vaccines work. Patients trust their family physicians and can rely on them for accurate information and guidance. Data from the Kaiser Family Foundation shows 46 percent of Americans are more likely to get vaccinated if the COVID-19 vaccine was offered to them at a place they normally go for health care, including their family physician.

    Q: How do family physicians address vaccine misinformation and encourage patients to get vaccinated?

    A: The spread of patently false information can undermine safety, put communities at risk and potentially cause patients to forgo treatment rather than follow the guidance of trusted family doctors, scientists and medical experts. Family physicians are well-positioned to address vaccine hesitancy, educate patients and combat misinformation.

    Family physicians can answer questions and address concerns about immunization to help patients understand why they are necessary and to help them make the decision that’s best for their family’s health. They explain that before vaccines are made available to the public, multiple stages of research, testing, and clinical trials take place to make sure they are safe and effective. If patients express concern about potential vaccine side effects, family physicians reassure them that side effects occur because the vaccine is doing its job by activating the immune system.

    Q: What barriers impact vaccine equity and how can family physicians help increase 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, 24 million adults 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.  Better coordination of vaccine distribution can reach the unvaccinated and help people overcome vaccine hesitancy, improve health literacy and alleviate the strain on hospitals amid staffing shortages and in rural and underserved areas.

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