Internal Medicine Physicians Stress the Importance of Vaccines and Evidence-Based Public Health Policies

Statement attributable to:
Isaac O. Opole, MBChB, PhD, MACP
President, American College of Physicians

PHILADELPHIA November 15, 2024 - Incidences of vaccine preventable diseases are increasing in the United States. Preliminary data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that as of the beginning of November, five times as many cases of pertussis (whooping cough) have been reported as there were at the same time last year. We have also already seen 16 outbreaks of measles across the country in 2024, as compared to only four in all of 2023. 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 vital to our ability to prevent diseases that threaten public health. They help prevent the spread of disease, protect against hospitalization, and can protect against long-term health issues, especially for those who are most vulnerable to serious complications. The American College of Physicians (ACP) remains concerned about the spread of disinformation and misinformation regarding vaccination and treatment, and strongly supports using the best-possible evidence to guide medical care and public health policies.

It is critical that policymakers and government officials understand the importance of vaccines, evidence-based medicine, and other ways that our public health infrastructure protects all of us. A sufficient public health system is essential to preventing illness and promoting health in society, assuring that our patients can live healthy lives, and helping to safeguard the health of everyone in our country. As the ACP discussed in our recent policy paper on strengthening the public health infrastructure, the federal government should protect and strengthen the public health infrastructure for the well-being of all Americans.

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About the American College of Physicians
The American College of Physicians is the largest medical specialty organization in the United States with members in more than 172 countries worldwide. ACP membership includes 161,000 internal medicine physicians, related subspecialists, and medical students. Internal medicine physicians are specialists who apply scientific knowledge and clinical expertise to the diagnosis, treatment, and compassionate care of adults across the spectrum from health to complex illness. Follow ACP on X, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, and LinkedIn.

Contact: Jacquelyn Blaser, (202) 261-4572, [email protected]