Physicians urge adults to get recommended vaccinations to protect against preventable diseases

August is National Immunization Awareness Month, and the American College of Physicians (ACP) is urging adults to get all recommended immunizations for protection against preventable diseases such as influenza, RSV, pneumonia and COVID-19.

Staying up to date on vaccines is imperative to prevent illness, yet vaccination rates are falling. The CDC reported that only 44.9% of U.S. adults over the age of 18 received a flu vaccine during the 2023–2024 season, representing a 4.3% decrease from the previous season. Among specific age groups, vaccination rates were 48.3% for adults 65 and older, and only 32.8% for those ages 18 to 49.

A reduction in vaccination rates correlates with an increase in illnesses. According to the CDC, symptomatic influenza cases rose from 31 million cases to 40 million cases between the 2022–2023 and 2023–2024 seasons, marking a 29% increase. The same CDC report estimated that for the 2023–2024 season, influenza led to 18 million medical visits in the U.S. alone. COVID-19 also continues to circulate. There was a relatively mild 2024–2025 COVID-19 winter season, but the CDC forecasts that we will see a resurgence of COVID-19 in 27 states.

"Vaccines are one of the most powerful tools we have to protect public health, and their safety and efficacy are backed by rigorous scientific research," said Jason M. Goldman, MD, MACP, president of ACP. "Staying up to date on recommended vaccinations helps prevent serious illness, reduces hospitalizations, and protects those at greatest risk, including older adults and people with underlying health conditions. We strongly encourage all adults to talk to their doctor about which vaccines are appropriate for them."

While flu and COVID-19 are often top-of-mind in the fall, older patients are at risk for other serious illnesses. RSV is especially dangerous for older adults. The CDC recommends the RSV vaccine for all adults 75 and over and for adults 50 to 74 who are at high risk.

Additionally, other important adult immunizations include Tdap vaccine to protect against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough); pneumococcal vaccine to protect against pneumococcal pneumonia, bacteremia, and meningitis; HPV vaccine to prevent cervical, anal, and other cancers; hepatitis A and B vaccines to protect against liver infections; and herpes zoster vaccine to help prevent shingles.

Patients should consult with their physician to determine which vaccines are recommended to them based on their age and risk conditions. In a commentary published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, Christine Laine, MD, MPH, FACP, Editor-in-Chief of Annals and Senior Vice President of ACP and Amir Qaseem, MD, Ph.D., MHA, FACP, Chief Science Officer and Senior Vice President of ACP, sound the alarm over the threat of continued vaccine misinformation and declining immunization rates. The 2025 CDC Adult Immunization Schedule is available for download within the commentary.

Visit ACP's Adult Immunization Resource Hub for more information and helpful resources.

More information:
Amir Qaseem et al, The U.S. Founding Fathers Recognized the Benefits of Immunization—We Need That Same Recognition Today, Annals of Internal Medicine (2025). DOI: 10.7326/ANNALS-25-01576

Provided by American College of Physicians