Vaccines are safe, effective, and protect against influenza and other common illnesses

PHILADELPHIA, August 6, 2026 – August is National Immunization Awareness Month, and the American College of Physicians (ACP) encourages adults to get vaccinated for protection against preventable diseases. Vaccines are critical tools for preventing deaths, hospitalizations, and the spread of disease, especially among those who are most vulnerable to serious complications. Keeping up to date with recommended vaccinations is essential for protecting both personal and public health. An editorial, “The U.S. Founding Fathers Recognized the Benefits of Immunization—We Need That Same Recognition Today” published in Annals of Internal Medicine, underscored that vaccines have been the cornerstone of public health and preventive medicine. 

ACP supports the independently developed immunization schedules of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), and the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG). Annals of Internal Medicine published the AAP, AAFP and ACOG immunization recommendations, along with an editorial from Jason M. Goldman, MD, MACP, immediate past president of ACP, and Robert H. Hopkins, MD, MACP and Kristin M. Mitchell, MD, FACP, chair and vice-chair  of ACP’s Immunization Subcommittee, calling for vaccine recommendations to be guided by scientific evidence and expert review, not political influence, and stating that ACP and other medical specialty societies will continue to fill the void left by the current administration and provide evidence-based and data-driven recommendations for physicians and our patients.

“ACP remains committed to ensuring that physicians and patients have access to reliable, scientifically grounded information about immunizations,” said Jan K. Carney, MD, MPH, MACP, president of ACP. “National Immunization Awareness Month serves as an important reminder for adults to review their vaccination status and talk with their physician about recommended vaccines.”

While many people associate flu with the upcoming fall season, older adults are at risk for other serious illnesses, particularly RSV. Additional important immunizations for adults include the Tdap vaccine to protect against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough); pneumococcal vaccine to protect against pneumococcal pneumonia, bacteremia, and meningitis; HPV vaccine to prevent cervical, anal, and other cancers; hepatitis A and B vaccines to protect against liver infections; and herpes zoster vaccine to help prevent shingles.  

Patients should consult with their physician to determine which vaccines are recommended for them based on their age, health, and risk conditions.

For more information and ACP resources, visit ACP’s Adult Immunization Resource Hub. 

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About the American College of Physicians  
The American College of Physicians is the largest medical specialty organization in the United States with members in more than 172 countries worldwide. ACP membership includes 163,000 internal medicine physicians, related subspecialists, and medical students. Internal medicine physicians are specialists who apply scientific knowledge and clinical expertise to the diagnosis, treatment, and compassionate care of adults across the spectrum from health to complex illness. Follow ACP on X, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, and LinkedIn, and subscribe to our RSS feed. 

Contact: Lori Bookbinder, 215-351-2431, lbookbinder@acponline.org