The College of American Pathologists (CAP) and the Cancer Leadership Council have called on all physicians and other health care professionals to get the COVID-19 vaccine and protect the patients they serve.

Due to the recent COVID-19 surge, the CAP and other leaders in the US health care system have supported vaccine requirements for health care workers. On August 16, CAP President Patrick Godbey, MD, FCAP issued a statement supporting pathologists and laboratories who develop policies requiring physicians and laboratory personnel to be vaccinated providing reasonable exceptions for medical reasons or those identified in applicable federal or state laws.

An overwhelming number of health care organizations have also issued similar statements. The CAP joined the Cancer Leadership Council in releasing a statement that all health care professionals should get immunized against COVID-19 to protect cancer patients, who may be immunocompromised individuals, including those receiving chemotherapy. The AMA and more than 50 health and medical groups called for all health care and long-term care employers to require their employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19. And, the Veterans Administration Department is requiring 360,000 of its employees and contractors to be vaccinated.

“The College of American Pathologists strongly urges pathologists, laboratory personnel, and all other health care professionals to get the COVID-19 vaccine to protect the patients we serve,” Dr. Godbey said. “Health care workers are on the frontline in the fight against this pandemic and bear increased risk of getting COVID-19. As leaders in the medical community, all physicians and nonphysician practitioners should consider the consequences of their vaccination decision. It involves more than just your health but the health of the public at large. The COVID-19 vaccine is the best tool we have to safeguard the most vulnerable patients in our communities.”

Recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention studies show that 95% of overall COVID-19 hospitalizations are among those not fully vaccinated. The federal government is providing vaccines to anyone in the United States for free.