AHA, AMA, ANA Urge Widespread Vaccination to Fight Pandemic as Covid-19 Deaths Reach 750,000

The following statement is attributable to:

American Hospital Association
American Medical Association
American Nurses Association

“Today we mourn the loss of 750,000 Americans who have died of COVID-19. This devastating milestone should serve as a reminder to everyone that the COVID-19 pandemic is not over and still poses a major threat to our society, particularly to the unvaccinated. The only way to truly end this pandemic is to ensure widespread vaccination and continue taking the preventive public health measures that we know work in curbing the spread of this virus.

“Physicians, nurses and other health care professionals have seen firsthand the devastating impact of COVID-19, including long-term effects of COVID-19, the deaths, and the immense impact on families and loved ones of those lost. Evidence demonstrates that people who are not fully vaccinated are 10 times more likely to be hospitalized, and 11 times more likely to die of COVID-19, than those who are fully vaccinated. We continue to urge everyone who is eligible to get vaccinated as soon as possible to protect themselves and their loved ones from this disease. With the FDA’s authorization of the COVID-19 vaccine for children aged 5-11 and CDC’s recommendations for use of the vaccine in this population, we strongly encourage all parents to get their children vaccinated as soon as they are eligible. To help protect those who aren’t yet eligible for vaccination, we also urge the public to continue taking evidence-based public health precautions, such as physical distancing and wearing face masks. Please do your part.”
 

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About the American Hospital Association
The American Hospital Association (AHA) is a not-for-profit association of health care provider organizations and individuals that are committed to the health improvement of their communities. The AHA advocates on behalf of our nearly 5,000 member hospitals, health systems and other health care organizations, our clinician partners – including more than 270,000 affiliated physicians, 2 million nurses and other caregivers – and the 43,000 health care leaders who belong to our professional membership groups. Founded in 1898, the AHA provides insight and education for health care leaders and is a source of information on health care issues and trends. For more information, visit the AHA website at www.aha.org

About the American Medical Association
The American Medical Association is the physicians’ powerful ally in patient care. As the only medical association that convenes 190+ state and specialty medical societies and other critical stakeholders, the AMA represents physicians with a unified voice to all key players in health care.  The AMA leverages its strength by removing the obstacles that interfere with patient care, leading the charge to prevent chronic disease and confront public health crises and, driving the future of medicine to tackle the biggest challenges in health care.

About the American Nurses Association
The American Nurses Association (ANA) is the premier organization representing the interests of the nation's 4.2 million registered nurses. ANA advances the profession by fostering high standards of nursing practice, promoting a safe and ethical work environment, bolstering the health and wellness of nurses, and advocating on health care issues that affect nurses and the public. ANA is at the forefront of improving the quality of health care for all. For more information, visit www.nursingworld.org