Adult Immunization
ACP works to improve adult immunization and patient outcomes by developing clinical guidance based on the best available evidence, publishing weekly scientific content, advocacy and making public statements, and offering resources for physicians and patients.
Vaccines help protect against preventable diseases. ACP encourages adults to get vaccinations recommended from trusted sources that develop clinical guidance based on transparent, evidence-based methodologies and safeguards against conflicts of interest.
Featured Updates
New ACP Encourages All Adults to Receive the 2025-2026 Influenza Vaccine
ACP has issued new influenza vaccine practice points saying everyone ages 18 to 64 years who are not pregnant or immunocompromised should receive the influenza vaccine for the 2025-2026 influenza season. The practice points are published in Annals of Internal Medicine.
ACP Immunization-Related Efforts
Learn what ACP is doing to lead advocacy efforts to protect public health, develop immunization recommendations, promote evidence-based immunization practices for protection against preventable diseases, and provide tools and resources to help members guide patients toward informed decisions.
ACP Calls for Removal of Secretary Kennedy at HHS
The American College of Physicians, representing 162,000 internal medicine physicians, calls on President Trump and Congress to replace Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. as Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to protect public health.
Clinical Updates
ACP Resources
- ACP Encourages All Adults to Receive the 2025-2026 Influenza Vaccine - The American College of Physicians issued new influenza vaccine practice points that say everyone ages 18 to 64 years who are not pregnant or immunocompromised should receive either a standard-dose trivalent or a standard-dose quadrivalent (cell-based, egg-based, MF59-adjuvanted, or recombinant) influenza vaccine for the 2025-2026 influenza season. The practice points are published in Annals of Internal Medicine.
- Deja Flu All Over Again: The Risk for Overwhelm of the U.S. Health Care System by Vaccine-Preventable and Modifiable Diseases - This commentary, published in Annals of Internal Medicine, warns that disaster looms ahead for the U.S. health care system, likely precipitated by an epidemic of vaccine-preventable and attenuating diseases. The politicalization of science, which includes the evisceration of public health infrastructure and funding, diminished access to care, and the proliferation of vaccine mis- and disinformation, has created a storm that the U.S. health care system will be ill-prepared to weather.
- ACP/Annals of Internal Medicine Forum: Vaccines: Decision Making Amid Conflicting Recommendations - In this summary and video recording of the virtual panel, our experts address confusion around vaccination recommendations and the duration of vaccines' respective protection. Q&A included.
- Preserving Scientific Integrity in Vaccine Policy: The Role of, and Risk to, the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices - Medical and public health professionals must reaffirm our commitment to a vaccine policy grounded in evidence, transparency, and public health principles. This means demanding the preservation of ACIP's independence, valuing the voices of experienced liaisons, resisting political interference, and reinforcing the role of the CDC as a scientific, not a political, institution.
- Flying the Plane While Building It: Lessons From the COVID-19 Pandemic - Science is an iterative process. The COVID-19 pandemic dramatically changed the fabric of science and health care, and its effects and the lessons learned will reverberate for decades to come. The entire health care and public health community must have the humility to reflect on lessons learned to ensure we do better the next time we face a public health catastrophe.
- Annals Publishes CDC Immunization Schedules, Stresses the Importance of Vaccination - Drs. Christine Laine and Amir Qaseem sound the alarm over the threat of continued vaccine misinformation and declining immunization rates. The authors reference scientific studies and even quote the wisdom of our Founding Fathers to make a compelling case for vaccination. The editorial is accompanied by the CDC immunization schedules.
- Infectious Diseases Specialty Collection by Annals of Internal Medicine - A collection of articles relevant to infectious diseases, including original research, reviews, clinical guidelines, commentary, case reports, health policy, and humanities.
- ACP/National Adult and Influenza Immunization Summit (NAIIS): mRNA Vaccines: Scientific Update and Overcoming Clinician and Patient Hesitation - This webinar updates physicians on current mRNA technology, including the latest on mRNA vaccines. Also discussed are concerns expressed by both clinicians and patients regarding mRNA vaccinations and provided education, as well as talking points to address these concerns.
- ACP/Annals of Internal Medicine Forum: Putting Adult Vaccine Recommendations into Action - In this forum, panel of experts clarified confusion around the vaccine recommendations and durations of their respective protection and discuss communication strategies to stress the importance of being up to date on immunizations with their patients. Panelists include: Janet Jokela, MD (moderator), Robert H. Hopkins, MD, Susan Lee, MD and Sybil Cineas, MD.
Other Resources
- CDC Resources
- Be Ready for Measles Toolkit
- Vaccine Information Statement (VIS)
- Measles Clinical Features and Diagnosis: in this video, CDC's Dr. Manisha Patel describes clinical features of measles, how to diagnose it in a patient, and what to do if you suspect you have a case. Includes images of children with measles infection.
Latest Advocacy
Protect Evidence-based Vaccine Recommendations: Take action by urging your members of Congress to support legislation that would protect the scientific process for vaccine recommendations and coverage.
- Joint Statement from Leading Medical, Health and Patient Advocacy Groups on CDC Autism Website Changes 11/20/25
- American College of Physicians Calls for Removal of Secretary Kennedy at HHS 9/10/25
- Ending Vaccine Requirements Puts Floridians and Others at Risk 9/4/2025
- Leading Physician Organizations Say Turmoil at the CDC Puts Lives at Risk 9/3/2025
- Statement from Leading Physician Groups on HHS Decision to Pull mRNA Vaccine Funding 8/7/2025
- Statement from Medical Association Liaisons to Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices on Being Barred from Nation’s Vaccine Review Process 8/1/2025
- Internal Medicine Physicians Urge Adults to Get Recommended Vaccinations to Protect Against Preventable Disease 8/1/2025
- The U.S. Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices: Public Health in the Crosshairs 7/21/2025
- Leading Medical Professional Societies, Patient Sue HHS, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. for Unlawful, Unilateral Vaccine Changes 7/7/2025
- ACP and leading medical organizations publish op-ed on vaccine policy 6/26/2025
- American College of Physicians Alarmed by ACIP Committee Meeting - A Dangerous Path 6/26/2025
- Preserving Scientific Integrity in Vaccine Policy: The Role of, and Risk to, the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices 6/24/2025
- ACP Letter to Congressional Committee Leaders on Strengthening Vaccine Science 6/20/2025
- ACP Letter to Secretary Kennedy on Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) Membership 6/18/2025
- Joint Letter to Congressional Committee Leadership re: Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) 6/17/2025
- Open Letter Urging COVID-19 Vaccination Coverage in Pregnancy 6/11/2025
- American College of Physicians troubled by ACIP committee selection process 6/11/2025
- American College of Physicians Highly Concerned About Dismissal of Vaccine Experts from ACIP 6/9/2025
- American College of Physicians Concerned by HHS Change in COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendations 5/28/2025
Resources to Increase Immunization Rates
ACP Resources
- ACP Videos
- Evidence to Recommend Framework, Explained by ACP President Jason Goldman, MD
- Explanation of Hepatitis B Vaccine Discussion, by ACP President Jason Goldman, MD
- Explanation of MMRV Vaccine Discussion at the ACIP Meeting, by ACP President Jason Goldman, MD
- Vaccine Conversations: Approaching Patients Who Are Deliberating Vaccinations
- How to Recommend Flu Vaccines to your Patients: A Time-saving, Evidence-Based Approach
- Practical Immunization Microlearning Resources: Stay up to date on the latest pneumococcal and flu vaccine recommendations and learn time-saving tips to make effective vaccine recommendations and boost vaccine confidence.
- Infographic on where to go to get routine immunizations (pdf|png)
- Poster on the importance of vaccines for older adults
- I Raise the Rates: Community Champion Guide: This guide will provide education and resources to help you implement interventions to promote adult immunizations in your community.
- ACP Quality Improvement Leadership Training: Best Practices in Engaging and Empowering Clinical Teams in Continuous Improvement. These training videos provides a step-by-step guidance, based on ACP’s QI approach, to help participants through their QI journey. The videos walk you through a case study example focused on increasing immunization rates.
- Step 1: Getting started
- Step: 2: Measuring Change
- Step 3: Planning for Change-Prioritizing Matrix
- Step 4: Implementing Change
- ACP Quality Improvement Curriculum is a step-wise approach that guides you through each stage of the QI journey from establishing the “what” and “why” for change to implementing and sustaining change. Use this online curriculum to develop a plan to increase your immunization rates. Physicians who complete this curriculum are eligible for up to 4 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM and ABIM MOC points. Physicians are also eligible to earn patient safety credit.
Other Resources
- Common Health Coalition
- Immunize.org Resources
- Immunization Action Coalition-Vaccination (IAC) Step-by Step Guide: Developed by the staff at the Immunization Action Coalition, this guide provides practical information to help you implement or enhance adult immunization services in your healthcare setting.
- Handouts - Clinic Resources (2025)
- Screening Checklist for Contraindications to Vaccines for Adults (2024)
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Fighting Medical Misinformation and Disinformation: Resources to combat the spread of false medical information & promote evidence-based healthcare.