Position Statement: CMSS Urges Routine Vaccination for Flu, COVID-19, and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)

The Council of Medical Specialty Societies Urges Routine Vaccination for Flu, COVID-19, and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)

November 7, 2023 – Given the expected surge in respiratory virus infections this fall and winter, the Council of Medical Specialty Societies (CMSS), a coalition of over 50 medical specialty societies representing more than 800,000 physicians across medicine, supports vaccination for influenza, COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in accordance with guidance from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). Following the approval of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), we fully support the recommendation of the ACIP for the 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine.

A recommendation from a trusted clinician is one of the most effective strategies to increase vaccine uptake. Members of our specialty societies are strongly encouraging patients and their families to stay up to date on their flu, COVID-19, and RSV vaccines, answer patients’ questions about risks and benefits of vaccines, encourage vaccination, and where feasible, provide vaccination. This sound evidence-based approach also lessens the burden on the healthcare system, including emergency department overcrowding, that may in turn support physician well-being.

Since populations with chronic medical conditions are at increased risk of serious illness and complications, CMSS and specialty societies have prioritized vaccination for these individuals. In collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), CMSS and seven specialty societies that care for older adults and people living with chronic conditions are developing and deploying targeted immunization resources for members and the public. CMSS and partner societies are actively working with 46 health systems across 31 states to implement quality improvement interventions to improve adult vaccination. Partner society vaccination resources include:

• Vaccine Champions for Adults with Diabetes (American Association of Clinical Endocrinology)
• Advancing Adult Immunization (American College of Cardiology)
• AGS Older Adults Vaccine Initiative (American Geriatrics Society)
• ACOEM Advancing Immunizations (American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine)
• Adult Immunization Project (American Society for Nephrology)
• ASCO Resources on Improving Vaccinations for High-risk Adults (American Society of Clinical Oncology)
• Vaccine Resource Center (American Thoracic Society)

The nation’s medical specialty societies stand ready and willing to do all we can to encourage routine vaccination and the use of evidence-based treatments in the critical months ahead.

 

About the Council of Medical Specialty Societies (CMSS)

The Council of Medical Specialty Societies (CMSS) is a coalition of 50 specialty societies representing more than 800,000 physicians across the house of medicine. As the national organization of specialty societies, CMSS provides a proactive platform to assess and address emerging issues across specialties that influence the future of healthcare and the patients we serve.