The American Medical Association (AMA) today released a new survey among practicing physicians that shows more than 96 percent of surveyed U.S. physicians have been fully vaccinated for COVID-19, with no significant difference in vaccination rates across regions. Of the physicians who are not yet vaccinated, an additional 45 percent do plan to get vaccinated.

The national AMA survey is the first to specifically collect data on practicing physicians' COVID-19 vaccination rates. The survey was conducted June 3 - 8 and showed an increase of more than 20 percent for physicians who have been fully vaccinated for COVID-19 compared to a May 2021 Medscape poll.

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

For months, the AMA has worked to bolster vaccine confidence, reduce vaccine hesitancy, and provide physicians with the information and resources they need to answer patient questions. In October, the AMA launched a webinar series, "What Physicians Need to Know," to ensure physicians are continuously informed about the federal review process for COVID-19 vaccine candidates. The first two webinars featured fact-based insights from the nation's highest-ranking subject matter experts working to protect public health from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), including an overview of the FDA's vaccine review process and an update from the CDC on COVID-19 vaccine development and distribution. More recently, in the eighth episode, the AMA joined with the de Beaumont Foundation for a webinar to help physicians respond to common vaccine misinformation among patients.