American Medical Association Statement On Updated COVID-19 Vaccine

The following statement is attributable to:
Sandra Adamson Fryhofer, M.D.

Immediate Past Board Chair, American Medical Association             

“Becoming sick from respiratory viruses such as flu, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and COVID-19 is common, especially during the fall and winter. With COVID-19 hospital admissions increasing, we welcome today’s recommendations by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) supporting a universal recommendation for the 2023-2024 COVID-19, XBB.1.5 containing vaccine.

“ACIP’s recommendations, following the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) approval on Monday for those 12 and older and authorization for those 6 months to 11 years of age, will allow individuals 6 months of age and older to receive an updated 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine dose of a Pfizer or Moderna mRNA vaccine. This recommendation replaces previous bivalent booster dose recommendations.

“Given that COVID-19 infections, hospitalizations, and deaths continue to impact the U.S. population and an increase in infections is expected this fall and winter, the updated COVID-19 vaccines increase the immune response against the currently circulating variants and are projected to prevent about 400,000 hospitalizations and 40,000 deaths over the next 2 years.

“We continue to strongly urge everyone to stay up-to-date on their COVID-19, influenza, and RSV vaccines to protect themselves and their loved ones from severe complications, hospitalization, and death. This is the first respiratory virus season where we have vaccines against the biggest respiratory virus threats, including an updated COVID-19 vaccine, an annual flu vaccine, RSV vaccines for older adults, as well as a long-acting monoclonal antibody for infants that reduces the risk of both hospitalizations and health care visits for RSV. Anyone with questions about vaccines should speak with their physician. Patients can find a COVID-19 vaccine or flu vaccine by visiting www.vaccines.gov. We will continue to support evidence-based vaccines and treatments to help prevent severe disease and protect public health.”