Nearly all U.S. doctors are vaccinated. Time to follow their lead.

What’s the news: More than 96% of practicing physicians have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, according to a new AMA national survey conducted this month. There were no significant regional differences in vaccination rates and, of physicians not yet fully vaccinated, 45% said they did plan to get vaccinated.

“Practicing physicians across the country are leading by example, with an amazing uptake of the COVID-19 vaccines,” said AMA President Susan R. Bailey, MD.

​ Yves Duroseau, MD, (left) was the first U.S. doctor to get the COVID-19 vaccine in December. (Photo courtesy Northwell Health)

Why it’s important: Research shows people who distrust large hospital systems, public health institutions or the government still tend to trust their personal physicians, giving physicians the opportunity and the responsibility to ensure that their patients are armed with the right information about COVID-19 vaccines, Dr. Bailey wrote in a recent AMA Leadership Viewpoints column.

“Physicians and clinicians are uniquely positioned to listen to and validate patient concerns, and one of the most powerful anecdotes a physician can offer is that they themselves have been vaccinated,” Dr. Bailey said. “You can take it from your doctor: The COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective.”

“With COVID-19 vaccines readily available and approved for all people 12 years old and up, we urge you to get vaccinated—take the single most important step you can to protect yourself, your family, and end the COVID-19 pandemic,” added Dr. Bailey, an allergist and immunologist in Fort Worth, Texas.

Learn more: The AMA is working to bolster vaccine confidence, reduce vaccine hesitancy, and provide physicians with the information and resources they need to answer patient questions. 

An AMA webinar series, “What Physicians Need to Know,” serves to ensure that physicians are continuously informed about the federal review process for COVID-19 vaccine candidates. The webinars have featured fact-based insights from the nation’s highest-ranking subject matter experts working to protect public health from the Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The AMA also developed a COVID-19 vaccines guide for physicians to promote factual vaccine information online that includes sample social media posts and messages.

Find out why it’s time for doctors to take center stage in the COVID-19 vaccine push.