FOR RELEASE
Tuesday, August 3, 2021
Janelle Davis
(913) 912-0377
jdavis@aafp.org
We, the undersigned organizations, believe all athletes who do not have contraindications should be vaccinated against COVID-19 as soon as they are eligible. Vaccination prevents widespread disease, hospitalizations, and deaths due to COVID-19 and will help keep students in the classroom, athletes in the game, and athletic teams on the field, while protecting our communities.
It is important for athletes to begin their vaccination now, since it takes several weeks to reach full immunity. An annual well visit or sports physical provides an excellent opportunity to talk with your physician or athletic care team about the vaccine and to begin the series. We urge all medical providers to ask about COVID-19 vaccine at all sports physicals.
We will be releasing updated preparticipation evaluation forms and guidance for medical providers in early August. We encourage all youth sports and state athletic associations to work in their communities, with local medical providers and state, tribal, local, or territorial health departments to assist with providing educational opportunities about the vaccine to their members, coaches, parents, and athletes and to make necessary arrangements for athletes to be vaccinated.
We advocate for all who are eligible today to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Visit vaccines.gov to learn more information, find locations, and make a plan to get vaccinated.
American Academy of Pediatrics
American Academy of Family Physicians
American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
American College of Emergency Physicians
American College of Sports Medicine
American Medical Society for Sports Medicine
American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine
American Osteopathic Academy of Sports Medicine
National Athletic Trainers’ Association
National Federation of State High School Associations
National Collegiate Athletic Association
US Olympic & Paralympic Committee
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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 American Academy of Family Physicians
Founded in 1947, the AAFP represents 130,000 physicians and medical students nationwide. It is the largest medical society devoted solely to primary care. Family physicians conduct approximately one in five office visits — that’s 192 million visits annually or 48 percent more than the next most visited medical specialty. Today, family physicians provide more care for America’s underserved and rural populations than any other medical specialty. Family medicine’s cornerstone is an ongoing, personal patient-physician relationship focused on integrated care. To learn more about the specialty of family medicine and the AAFP's positions on issues and clinical care, visit www.aafp.org. For information about health care, health conditions and wellness, please visit the AAFP’s consumer website, www.familydoctor.org.