Statement attributable to:

Sandra Adamson Fryhofer, M.D.

Board Chair, American Medical Association

“At today’s meeting of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), the extensive data presented once again showed the COVID-19 vaccines are remarkably safe and effective at preventing severe COVID-19 outcomes, including hospitalization and death. Additionally, COVID vaccine safety during pregnancy has been exhaustively studied, and data shown today is reassuring. COVID-19 vaccination of pregnant people is safe for them and for their infants.

“As we enter flu season and with a possible winter surge of COVID-19 on the horizon, now is the time for everyone to make sure that they and their children are up to date on vaccinations. The updated COVID-19 booster doses currently available – the bivalent boosters – offers unique protection as the first COVID-19 vaccines that specifically target the original strain of the virus and the current dominant variant (BA.5), and I urge everyone who is eligible – those age 5 years and older – in the strongest terms to get vaccinated.

“Additionally, the AMA applauds ACIP for recommending the addition of the COVID-19 vaccines to the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program. This essential federally funded program provides no-cost vaccines to children who otherwise might not get vaccinated because of insurance status or inability to pay. This step helps ensure equitable access to the vaccines as we transition COVID-19 countermeasures to the commercial marketplace.

“If you have questions about COVID-19 or flu vaccines, we urge you to speak with your physician and review trusted resources, including getvaccineanswers.org and getmyflushot.org.”