IAFP and AAFP ACIP Actions

AUGUST 1, 2025
Statement from Medical Association Liaisons to Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices on Being Barred from Nation’s Vaccine Review Process

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, 8 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“For decades, liaisons from our organizations have reviewed published and unpublished data and literature related to vaccine efficacy, effectiveness, and safety and provided unbiased input for ACIP’s consideration.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
 

AAFP Responds to Removal of Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices Members
Statement issued June 10, 2025

An Open Letter to the American Public on Respiratory Virus Vaccines
June 25, from the AMA, AAFP and many other leading and trusted health care organizations

In response to recent developments affecting vaccine access and policy, AAFP is focusing its advocacy on ensuring access to and coverage for vaccines through several key actions:

• The AAFP wrote to Secretary Kennedy on June 12 expressing deep concern over the dismissal of the ACIP. As trusted advocates for public health, we remain committed to holding our nation's health care leadership accountable—because the integrity of vaccine policy matters. Read the full letter.;

• Direct advocacy with members of Congress to urge increased oversight of HHS;

• Mobilization of family physicians through Family Medicine Advocacy Summit (FMAS) activities, the advocacy ambassadors program, and Speak Outs; and

• Collaboration with other medical societies and vaccine science experts to advance the establishment of an independent review process for vaccine recommendations for the upcoming fall respiratory virus season.

IAFP MEMBERS: The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) was eliminated by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. In response, the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) issued a statement addressing the removal of ACIP members.

The American Medical Association (AMA) House of Delegates adopted an emergency resolution calling for the reinstatement of the CDC’s vaccine advisory committee members and urging a Senate health committee investigation into Secretary Kennedy’s actions. Michael Hanak, MD, Chair of the AAFP Delegation to the AMA, and IAFP Delegate to the AAFP Congress of Delegates, played a key role in drafting and rallying support for this resolution. This strong stance from the AMA reflects the unified voice of the house of medicine, including the AAFP, American College of Physicians (ACP), American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), and American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

IAFP echoed AAFP’s sentiments on social media and will continue to report any developments provided by AAFP. 
IAFP Opposes HHS decision to not recommend COVID vaccine for children and pregnant people. IAFP President Elect Corinne Kohler, MD, FAAFP was interviewed by the Chicago Sun-Times with our reaction and concerns generated by this ruling.