AAFP Commends COVID-19 Vaccine Progress as Cases Surge
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020
Statement attributable to:
Ada D. Stewart, MD
President
American Academy of Family Physicians
“Today we celebrate new hope for an end to this pandemic as the first COVID-19 vaccine enters the market. The American Academy of Family Physicians commends the researchers and scientists who have worked determinedly to develop safe and effective vaccines that will decrease COVID-related illness and suffering in the U.S. and around the world.
We also commend the U.S. Federal Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices for their ongoing, cautious due diligence in evaluating the science, evidence, safety and efficacy of the vaccines.
While broad distribution plans and timing are being determined, family physicians stand ready to serve as partners in vaccine education, distribution and administration. We will work to ensure all people in the U.S. can be vaccinated, especially those populations who have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19.
Vaccines are safe, effective, and they save lives. That is why the AAFP has long been committed to reducing vaccine hesitancy through highlighting that immunizations are a selfless act of prevention that help the broader community. Family physicians trust the science of vaccines, and we encourage our patients to learn more about vaccines and how getting vaccinated builds a community of immunity at familydoctor.org/vaccines.
While hope is on the horizon, it remains critical that we all continue to practice mask wearing, handwashing and social distancing. Working together with renewed determination, we are confident our nation will begin to heal from this pandemic in the foreseeable future.”
Editor's Note: To arrange an interview with Dr. Stewart, contact Janelle Davis, (913) 912-0377, or jdavis@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.