AHA, AMA, ANA continue to urge widespread vaccination to fight pandemic

As U.S. COVID-19 deaths today surpassed 750,000, the AHA, American Medical Association, and American Nurses Association continued to urge everyone who is eligible to get vaccinated as soon as possible.

“Today we mourn the loss of 750,000 Americans who have died of COVID-19,” the organizations said in a joint statement. “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.”