Editor’s note: In January 2026, the CDC moved to reduce the number of vaccines recommended for all children from 17 to 11. In response, the AMA issued a statement, which said in part, “The scientific evidence remains unchanged, and the AMA supports continued access to childhood immunizations recommended by national medical specialty societies.”
As the temperatures drop and Americans spend more time together in close quarters over the holidays, the AMA is stepping up its efforts to give patients and doctors the resources they need to understand the safety and efficacy of vaccines and have productive conversations about immunization.
The work comes amid a reported measles outbreak in South Carolina, the influenza and respiratory-virus season, and actions on the hepatitis B vaccine taken by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Given the increase in conflicting information about vaccines, it is understandable that some patients may be confused about how to keep their families and themselves healthy.
“With a recent poll showing that Americans are likelier to trust the AMA than the CDC on vaccines, we are working to give patients the reliable answers they need to help protect themselves and their families from preventable diseases,” said AMA CEO and Executive Vice President John Whyte, MD, MPH. “There’s a lot of information out there on this vitally important issue and not all of it is accurate. Who is doing the talking matters. The bottom line is this: If you have questions about vaccines, talk with your physician.”
This spring, amid measles outbreaks in multiple states and with spring-break travel approaching, the AMA urged everyone not already immunized to get themselves and their families vaccinated against measles ASAP.
Then in May, the AMA Ed Hub™ hosted an award-winning webinar, “Measles on the Rise,” to help physicians and practices remain prepared for measles cases. The webinar covered trends in measles epidemiology, clinical recognition of measles, the importance of vaccination, and preparing and responding to measles, including infection prevention and control in the health care settings. With 1,958 confirmed measles cases this year, the U.S. is at risk of losing its measles elimination status.
Ahead of respiratory-virus season, the AMA released tools to help patients and physicians cut through the confusion around vaccines and have open, honest conversations with each other. An infographic for patients (PDF) explains why vaccines are an important part of staying healthy and encourages them to talk with their doctor if they have questions. A second infographic for physicians (PDF) includes sample conversation starters they can use when speaking with patients who may be unsure about vaccines—helping to build trust and understanding.
“Doctors know vaccines are one of the most effective ways to protect our health,” AMA President Bobby Mukkamala, MD, said at the time. “We want to make sure patients have clear, up-to-date information on everything from the public health measures to prevent the spread of illness to the benefits of getting vaccinated, including reducing the risk of serious illness, hospitalization and death for themselves and the community around them.”
These resources are collected AMA page that outlines how to answer patients’ questions about vaccines.
The AMA also offers CME on vaccination from the AMA Ed Hub™, the latest research on vaccines published by the JAMA Network™, as well as resources on measles and influenza, or flu.
Speaking up on vaccines
The AMA has regularly weighed in this year with press statements, commentary, op-eds and advocacy efforts to maintain patients’ access to vaccines.
Earlier this month, the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted to weaken the universal birth-dose recommendation for the hepatitis B vaccine, a move that AMA Trustee Sandra Adamson Fryhofer, MD, said was “reckless and undermines decades of public confidence in a proven, lifesaving vaccine.” The action, she said, “is not based on scientific evidence, disregards data supporting the effectiveness of the hepatitis B vaccine, and creates confusion for parents about how best to protect their newborns.”
She added that “administering the birth dose is crucial for protecting children from both perinatal and early postnatal transmission of Hepatitis B virus—and preventing a lifelong condition that can lead to chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, liver cancer and death.”
When the CDC updated its guidance following the ACIP recommendations, the AMA issued another statement from Dr. Fryhofer, an internist in Atlanta and AMA Trustee, which concluded: “Physicians continue to recommend the birth dose of the hepatitis B vaccine for all newborns, and we encourage parents with questions about vaccines to talk to their physician.”
Dr. Fryhofer’s remarks followed earlier instances in which the AMA spoke up regarding ACIP, including when the Trump administration removed the 17 sitting members of the committee, selected new members without proper transparency and vetting, and the removal of volunteer liaisons to ACIP work groups from the AMA and other organizations.
The AMA also is making high-impact use of the social media channels where most Americans now report getting their news. For example, an AMA post to Instagram outlines what doctors want patients to know about the hepatitis B vaccine and newborns.
The AMA also continues to partner with the Ad Council on a national flu vaccination campaign that encourages Americans to get a flu shot to protect themselves, their loved ones and their communities against the flu. Public service announcements direct audiences to GetMyFluShot.org for more information.
Pediatrician Toluwalasé “Lasé” Ajayi, MD, chair-elect of the AMA Board of Trustees, and Dr. Fryhofer also have done interviews with a number of news organizations to highlight the importance of flu vaccination. The AMA offers a comprehensive listing of respiratory-virus vaccine recommendations from a variety of physician organizations.
“The best thing you can do when you have concerns about getting vaccinated is to talk to your physician,” Dr. Ajayi said in an interview on San Francisco’s Fox 2 (KTVU-TV). “Talk to that trusted person that you go to when you’re sick, when you have a new diagnosis. That’s the best source of information.”
Learn more with the AMA about what doctors wish patients knew about family immunizations and flu vaccines.
