Protecting Patient Access to Immunizations

 

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Support policies that would bolster evidence-based science by preserving coverage, increasing uptake, and restoring research for safe and effective immunizations.

Why Action is Needed

As internal medicine physicians on the front lines of patient care, we understand the critical role immunizations play in mitigating the spread of preventable diseases, especially among patients who are most vulnerable to serious complications. ACP is very concerned with the rise of immunization misinformation and disinformation, as it is leading to unnecessary confusion and will likely cause harm from diseases that can be prevented or mitigated by vaccines. At a time when we face one of the largest measles outbreaks in decades, we must ensure patients have the most up-to-date information on immunizations backed by long-standing, evidence-based science.

Recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) play a key role in determining immunization schedules and coverage. To ensure the public has access to impartial, safe, and effective immunization guidance, ACIP must remain focused on scientific evidence and free from political interference.

ACP’s Position

ACP strongly believes that immunizations are vital to our ability to mitigate diseases that threaten public health, and we remain steadfast in our commitment to promoting evidence-based immunization practices. The College has undertaken the process of developing our own recommendations for adult immunizations. ACP’s recommendations for the use of influenza immunizations in adults are published in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

We urge policymakers to protect and strengthen our nation’s public health by supporting evidence-based guidance and research for immunizations, expanding access to safe and effective immunizations, and ensuring the public has reliable, accurate information to make informed decisions. This is why ACP, along with several other organizations, has filed a lawsuit against HHS and Secretary Kennedy arguing that the changes to vaccine recommendations made by the reconstituted ACIP violate the Administrative Procedure Act and the Federal Advisory Committee Act. We believe that these changes will have a negative impact on our patients and our physician practices.

In addition, ACP has prepared a toolkit to help members understand policy changes affecting immunizations and advocate for protecting access to vaccines for their patients and communities.