CHICAGO – In response to being notified via e-mail late yesterday by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) that liaison organizations will be excluded from the process of reviewing scientific evidence and informing vaccine recommendations, eight medical association liaison organizations issued the following joint statement:
“We are deeply disappointed and alarmed that our organizations are being characterized as ‘biased’ and therefore barred from reviewing scientific data and informing the development of vaccine recommendations that have long helped ensure our nation’s vaccine program is safe, effective, and free from bias. We represent physicians who care for patients throughout their lifespan, who share a common goal and responsibility to keep patients healthy and protect public health. We bring to the table real-world clinical experience on how vaccine recommendations are implemented in practice.
“For decades, liaisons from our organizations have reviewed published and unpublished data and literature related to vaccine efficacy, effectiveness, and safety and provided unbiased input for ACIP’s consideration. To remove our deep medical expertise from this vital and once transparent process is irresponsible, dangerous to our nation’s health, and will further undermine public and clinician trust in vaccines. We strongly urge the Administration to reconsider excluding our organizations from participating in the ACIP vaccine review process so we can continue to feel confident in its vaccine recommendations for our patients.”
The statement was jointly issued by the following organizations:
American Academy of Family Physicians
American Academy of Pediatrics
American College of Physicians
American Geriatrics Society
American Medical Association
American Osteopathic Association
Infectious Diseases Society of America
National Medical Association
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The American Medical Association is the physicians’ powerful ally in patient care. As the only medical association that convenes 190+ state and specialty medical societies and other critical stakeholders, the AMA represents physicians with a unified voice to all key players in health care. The AMA leverages its strength by removing the obstacles that interfere with patient care, leading the charge to prevent chronic disease and confront public health crises and, driving the future of medicine to tackle the biggest challenges in health care.
