AMA, Vaccine Integrity Project Release New Evidence Review for 2026-27 Respiratory Virus Immunizations

September 2, 2026

Independent review backs flu, COVID-19 and RSV vaccines ahead of the respiratory virus season, with no new safety concerns identified.


An Independent Look at the Evidence

The American Medical Association and the Vaccine Integrity Project announced the release of an independent evidence review to inform respiratory virus immunization recommendations for the 2026-27 season. The AMA partnered with the Vaccine Integrity Project to engage medical specialty societies and public health organizations in three areas: identifying key policy questions, reviewing emerging evidence, and communicating findings to clinicians and patients.


Recommendations by Patient Population

Four medical societies developed the population-specific recommendations:


  • American Academy of Pediatrics — patients younger than 19
  • American Academy of Family Physicians — patients 19 and older, and health care personnel
  • American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists — pregnancy
  • Infectious Diseases Society of America — immunocompromised patients


JAMA Publishes Supporting Evidence Reviews

JAMA published evidence reviews covering all three respiratory pathogens — influenza, COVID-19, and RSV — along with a Perspective piece on the collaboration, giving physicians and other health professionals current evidence behind the immunization recommendations. The reviews found that immunizations against influenza, COVID-19, and RSV continue to provide meaningful protection against severe illness, hospitalization, and death, and researchers identified no new safety concerns in comparative studies.


New Resources for Clinicians and Patients

The AMA also launched a digital resource hub of immunization materials at SpreadTheFacts.org to help clinicians and patients access and share the recommendations. Clinicians can learn more directly from the organizations involved during their webinar on September 23 covering the evidence review process, key findings, and the latest respiratory virus immunization recommendations.


Sources: AMA press release; JAMA evidence reviews on influenza, COVID-19, and RSV; JAMA Perspective piece.

Banner Medical Group Clinicians File for Union Representation, Votes to Be Tallied

By Admin User • September 2, 2026
Filing Marks Major Organizing Effort More than 240 physicians and advanced practice providers employed by Banner Medical Group in the Phoenix metropolitan area have filed for union representation, marking one of the largest physician-organizing efforts in Arizona in recent years. The healthcare workers received ballots via mail to vote on whether they wanted to join the state's first union for physicians and other clinicians. The votes, which were submitted by clinicians across more than 30 Banner locations, will be tallied by the National Labor Relations Board on September 2. If the majority of the group votes to unionize, they will receive representation through the Union of American Physicians and Dentists (UAPD), which they say is necessary due to concerns including: Patient panel sizes Staffing resources Scheduling processes Administrative workload Their ability to provide consistent patient care Scheduling Dispute Preceded Filing The filing follows a dispute involving a Banner family medicine physician who raised concerns about a scheduling issue that, if left unresolved, could have affected patient access to appointments. The physician later became the subject of an unfair labor practice complaint filed with the National Labor Relations Board. The allegations remain part of an ongoing labor matter. Banner Health's Response Banner Health acknowledged receiving notice of the union filing and emphasized its preference for maintaining direct communication with employees. In a statement, the health system said it encourages team members to share concerns through existing internal channels, including: Surveys Leadership meetings Executive forums Banner also stated that employees should have access to complete information about union representation before making a decision. The health system reiterated that its primary focus remains delivering high-quality patient care while working with employees to address workplace concerns.

Barrow Neurological Institutes Receives Funding to Study Ibogaine for Brain Injuries

By Admin User • August 21, 2026
Researchers to Explore Psychoactive Compound's Ability to Treat Traumatic Brain Injury Symptoms