The COVID-19 pandemic has had a dramatic impact on vaccines – from the urgent race to develop a COVID-19 vaccine and encouraging the public to receive it once available; to a decline in childhood immunization rates for preventable diseases like the measles; to potential diagnostic uncertainties between COVID and influenza, underscoring the importance of getting a flu shot this year.
Vaccines are considered one of the most successful advances in modern medicine, preventing 2-3 million deaths every year – but many people still don’t recognize that vaccinations save lives.
A new campaign from the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) is helping educate people on how vaccines build not just one’s personal immunity, but also build community immunity to protect those who may not able to get vaccinated themselves. The campaign’s call-to-action video illustrates how vaccinations make everyone a lifesaver, and its custom “vaccine hero” band-aids help physicians engage with patients about why they are getting vaccinated.
Atlanta physicians are participating in the campaign to discuss its importance and how they are engaging with patients, including:
- The science behind how vaccines work, including how they help protect the larger community and common misconceptions
- What people should know to feel safe about a potential COVID vaccine, including the need to rebuild trust with Black and brown communities
- Tips for how to have a constructive and respectful conversation with family members about vaccinations, especially if views differ
- Stories about questions they get from patients and how they counsel patients on vaccines
For more information, visit American Academy of Family Physicians.
