Attributable to:
David A. Fleming, MD, MS, MACP
President, American College of Physicians (ACP)
February 4, 2015
The American College of Physicians expresses its full support for the evidence-based recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention regarding immunization against measles, rubella, and mumps (MMR) (see http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr6204a1.htm and http://annals.org/article.aspx?articleid=2107750). The scientific evidence clearly supports the benefit of the MMR vaccine and the lack of any association with autism.
Physicians have a duty to provide the best care for their patients, as well as to protect the public health. At the same time, the profession has a duty to advocate based on accurate scientific data. Patient/parent autonomy is not absolute when it has the potential to compromise both individual and public health. Thus, we urge all Americans to embrace the sound preventive medicine practice of both routine pediatric and adult immunizations.
About the American College of Physicians
The American College of Physicians is the largest medical specialty organization and the second-largest physician group in the United States. ACP members include 141,000 internal medicine physicians (internists), 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 Twitter and Facebook.