Statement attributable to:
Omar T. Atiq, MD, MACP
President, American College of Physicians
PHILADELPHIA February 28, 2024 – The American College of Physicians (ACP) is concerned by reports of recent measles outbreaks in the U.S. and the spread of misinformation about vaccination guidelines. It is absolutely imperative that the Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines and other evidence-based guidance be adhered to in order to mitigate the spread of this disease, and it is critical that our public health officials follow that guidance when advising members of the public.
Measles is a serious disease that is highly contagious. Vaccines are vital to our ability to mitigate diseases that threaten public health. With vaccine rates for the disease on the decline in recent years, we need to ensure that we widely disseminate the guidelines about what should be done for unvaccinated individuals after an exposure and what those individuals can do to help protect the health of those around them. ACP urges the public to get recommended vaccinations to protect against preventable diseases, including measles. ACP has resources for physicians and other health care professionals to help improve adult immunization rates and patient outcomes.
As internal medicine physicians on the front lines of patient care, we understand what needs to be done to mitigate the spread of preventable diseases such as measles. It is important that we work together to quell this public health threat by encouraging vaccines, following guidance about isolation, and making sure that members of the public have reliable, accurate information to guide their choices.
***
About the American College of Physicians
The American College of Physicians is the largest medical specialty organization in the United States with members in more than 145 countries worldwide. ACP membership includes 161,000 internal medicine physicians, related subspecialists, and medical students. Internal medicine physicians are specialists who apply scientific knowledge and clinical expertise to the diagnosis, treatment, and compassionate care of adults across the spectrum from health to complex illness. Follow ACP on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and Facebook.
Contact: Jacquelyn Blaser, (202) 261-4572, jblaser@acponline.org