Several major medical organizations — including the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), and the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) — have issued vaccine guidance for their respective patient populations amid continued uncertainty surrounding federal recommendations.
As vaccine guidance changes or appears inconsistent, clinicians may become the professionals patients turn to for interpretation.
Leading medical organizations are stepping in to provide clear, science-based vaccine recommendations to fill a critical gap in public health guidance caused by recent changes and uncertainty in the federal vaccine recommendation process. The effort comes in response to shifting policies, legal challenges, and questions surrounding timely federal guidance for the upcoming fall respiratory virus season.
Medical groups have teamed up with The Vaccine Integrity Project and the American Medical Association (AMA) on an independent vaccine evidence review assessing the safety and efficacy of immunizations against influenza, COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The Vaccine Integrity Project reviewed hundreds of peer-reviewed studies published since August 2025 to develop its 2025-26 evidence review.
Previously, the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) played a central role in reviewing vaccine data and informing U.S. immunization recommendations. That process was disrupted in 2025 when the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) dismissed the committee’s existing members and appointed new ones.
“Immunization continues to be one of our best tools for preventing severe illness from respiratory viruses,” Vaccine Integrity Project Executive Director Michael T. Osterholm, PhD, MPH, said in a press release. “This year’s review confirms that the newest evidence remains consistent with research showing these immunizations reduce the risk of hospitalization and death among the people most likely to experience serious disease.”
The goal isn’t simply to add another layer of guidance. Rather, it is to provide clinicians and patients with clearer, evidence-based recommendations as the vaccine landscape continues to evolve.
Clinicians may need to spend more time discussing who should receive flu and COVID vaccines this fall. Patients may encounter conflicting messages from federal agencies, professional organizations, social media, and other sources, leaving them with unanswered questions about what recommendations apply to them.
When public messaging is unclear, a clinician’s recommendation may become even more influential. Practices may also need to ensure that physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and other patient-facing staff are communicating consistently about vaccine recommendations.
Clear guidance is only part of the equation. Patients also need help understanding what the guidance means for their individual circumstances.
Changing and inconsistent public health messaging may compound existing concerns about vaccine safety and trust in the healthcare system. For Black patients, conversations with trusted clinicians can provide an important opportunity to address questions directly, acknowledge uncertainty where it exists, and explain the evidence behind a recommendation.
Culturally tailored communication and clear, individualized conversations may be particularly important when patients are navigating conflicting information. Rather than simply directing patients to another set of recommendations, clinicians can help clarify which guidance applies to them and why.
As vaccine recommendations continue to evolve, patients may not be looking for another website or another set of guidelines. They may be looking to their healthcare provider for a clear explanation of what the latest evidence means for them.
The AMA has created a centralized resource hub compiling respiratory vaccine recommendations and supporting evidence for clinicians and the public.
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