Physician groups reaffirm support for vaccination against flu, COVID-19, RSV

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Dear Americans,

If you’re worried about getting the flu, COVID-19 or respiratory syncyctial virus (RSV) this fall, please get vaccinated against those illnesses.

Sincerely,

America’s doctors

A group of 78 medical groups, led by the American Medical Association (AMA), published an open letter to the American public to “reaffirm their support for vaccination” as the best way to protect against respiratory viruses. Those bugs are expected to surge when the weather cools starting in fall. When that happens, insurers, hospitals and public health agencies should make the shots available to patients for free, the advocates said.

The American Medical Association published the letter June 25, the same day as the opening meeting of the reconstituted Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The letter did not mention ACIP by name, but noted: “Recent changes to federal immunization review processes raised concerns across the medical and public health community.”

“In this moment of uncertainty, physicians must align around clear, evidence-based guidance for patients,” the letter said.

“We commit to working together to promote public understanding and confidence in the use of vaccines to avoid another severe respiratory virus season and resurgence of vaccine-preventable illnesses and deaths,” the medical groups said. “We call on our partners — from insurers to hospitals to public health agencies — to ensure vaccines remain available to patients without cost sharing.

“The health and safety of the public remains our top priority, and we will continue to support evidence-based immunizations to help prevent severe disease and protect public health,” the letter said.

ACIP opened its meeting with introductory remarks and presentations about the safety and effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccine. A committee vote on the recommendation for the COVID-19 vaccine could come in a future meeting.

If the 2024-2025 respiratory virus season is an indicator, coming months also could bring a surge in illnesses. The medical groups said “strong physician leadership is essential to reducing preventable illness, hospitalizations and death.”

“Vaccines for influenza, RSV, and COVID-19 remain among the best tools to protect the public against these illnesses and their potentially serious complications — and physicians are among the most trusted voices to recommend them,” the letter said. “We come together as physicians from every corner of medicine to reaffirm our commitment to these lifesaving vaccines.”