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AOA, News Releases

Statement from leading physician groups on HHS decision to pull mRNA vaccine funding

By Group of Six

08.07.25

The statement below is issued by the American Osteopathic Association, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American College of Physicians:

Our organizations, representing over 500,000 physicians and medical students, are dismayed and alarmed by the decision to halt most federal investment in mRNA vaccine research. This act stifles scientific innovation and our country’s ability to react swiftly to future pandemics and public health emergencies—putting millions of lives at risk.

Sustained research funding is essential to developing the next generation of tools that protect Americans from infectious disease. Thanks to decades of rigorous science, testing and monitoring systems, vaccines used in the U.S. continue to be safe, effective and save lives.

We remain resolute in our support for investments in public health research and programs that prevent debilitating and fatal diseases and advance U.S. healthcare.

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AOA media contact
Ernst Lamothe
(312) 202-8038
[email protected]

About the American Osteopathic Association
The American Osteopathic Association (AOA) represents more than 197,000 osteopathic physicians (DOs) and osteopathic medical students; promotes public health; encourages scientific research; and serves as the primary certifying body for DOs. To learn more about DOs and the osteopathic philosophy of medicine, visit osteopathic.org.

About the American Academy of Family Physicians
The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) is the largest national association of family physicians, representing 128,300 physicians and medical students. Family medicine’s cornerstone is an ongoing, personal patient-physician relationship focused on impactful care for people of all ages, races and genders across all medical conditions. The AAFP supports every stage of a family physician’s career and provides evidence-based resources, advocacy and community to empower family medicine. To learn more, visit aafp.org. For information about healthcare, medical conditions and wellness, please visit the AAFP’s patient education website, familydoctor.org.

About the American Academy of Pediatrics
The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 67,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well-being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults.

About the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) is the nation’s leading group of physicians providing evidence-based obstetric and gynecologic care. As a private, voluntary, nonprofit membership organization of more than 60,000 members, ACOG strongly advocates for equitable, exceptional, and respectful care for all women and people in need of obstetric and gynecologic care; maintains the highest standards of clinical practice and continuing education of its members; promotes patient education; and increases awareness among its members and the public of the changing issues facing patients and their families and communities. For more information, visit acog.org.

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 172 countries worldwide. ACP membership includes 162,000 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 XFacebook, Instagram, Threads and LinkedIn.