A coalition of 34 leading scientific and medical organizations has unified to stress the significance of vaccinations in public health, addressing increasing misinformation and a worrying decline in public trust in science.
In response to growing concerns over vaccine misinformation, declining public trust in science and recent outbreaks of preventable diseases, a coalition of 34 scientific and medical organizations has joined forces to affirm the critical role of vaccinations in maintaining public health.
Led by the American Association of Immunologists (AAI) and the American College of Physicians (ACP), this coalition has released a unified statement emphasizing the importance of adhering to recommended vaccination schedules.
“We strongly support vaccination as a cornerstone of public health, a shining example of the power of scientific research, and a vital tool in the fight against preventable diseases,” the statement asserts. “We urge everyone to adhere to recommended vaccination schedules to protect themselves, their families, and their communities.”
AAI President Stephen C. Jameson underscored the significance of vaccines as a result of decades of scientific dedication.
“Vaccines are one of the greatest achievements of biomedical research, made possible by decades of rigorous scientific investigation and investment in discovery,” Jameson said in a news release. “The development of safe and effective vaccines requires a strong, well-funded scientific enterprise, from basic immunology research to large-scale clinical trials. Ensuring continued support for science is essential to protecting public health and combating emerging infectious diseases.”
ACP President Isaac O. Opole echoed these sentiments, highlighting the frontline perspective of internal medicine physicians.
“As internal medicine physicians on the front lines of patient care, we understand what needs to be done to mitigate the spread of preventable diseases. Vaccines are safe, effective and vital to our ability to prevent diseases that threaten public health,” Opole added. “ACP remains concerned about the spread of disinformation and misinformation regarding vaccination and treatment and strongly supports evidence-based guidance. With the current measles outbreak and the threat of other preventable infectious diseases, we need to ensure that members of the public have reliable, accurate information to guide their choices.”
This statement emerges amidst a backdrop of declining trust in scientific institutions and a rise in vaccine misinformation. A Pew Research Center survey revealed a fall in the percentage of Americans who view science positively, dropping from 73% in 2019 to 57% in 2023.
Furthermore, a study by Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health found that misinformation about vaccines on social media significantly contributes to vaccine hesitancy.
The consequences of declining vaccination rates are starkly visible. Texas is currently battling a measles outbreak with over 300 reported cases and the tragic death of an unvaccinated child — the first such death in the United States in a decade.
This coalition’s statement underscores the rigorous safety protocols and extensive scientific research behind vaccine development. It highlights that while no medical intervention is without risk, the overwhelming benefits of vaccines in preventing serious illness and death far outweigh any potential risks.
For a full copy of the statement, visit the AAI website.
Coalition Organizations
- American Association of Immunologists
- American College of Physicians
- Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy (AMCP)
- American Academy of Pediatrics
- American Anthropological Association
- American Association for Anatomy
- American Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research
- American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP)
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
- American Industrial Hygiene Association
- American Institute of Biological Sciences
- American Osteopathic Association
- American Pharmacists Association
- American Physiological Society
- American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- American Society for Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (ASCPT)
- American Society for Investigative Pathology
- American Society for Matrix Biology (ASMB)
- American Society for Microbiology
- American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics (ASPET)
- American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
- American Statistical Association
- Association of Biomolecular Resource Facilities
- Biophysical Society
- Council of Medical Specialty Societies
- Entomological Society of America
- FASEB
- Gerontological Society of America
- March of Dimes
- Society for Leukocyte Biology
- Society of Behavioral Medicine
- The Histochemical Society
- The Society for Research in Child Development
- United States Pharmacopeia (USP)
Source: American College of Physicians