AHA, AMA, ANA issue open letter backing science-based covid-19 vaccine development

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE      December 1, 2020

AHA, AMA, ANA issue open letter backing science-based covid-19 vaccine development, URGING PUBLIC TO REMAIN VIGILANT UNTIL WIDESPREAD VACCINATION

CHICAGO – As COVID-19 vaccine development continues to progress, leading U.S. medical, nursing and health organizations today affirmed their commitment to ensuring COVID-19 vaccines are evaluated and ultimately authorized through a rigorous scientific and regulatory process. The groups called on the American people to continue public health precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19 until the U.S. population has been broadly immunized against the illness.

The open letter from the American Medical Association, American Hospital Association, and American Nurses Association is available here. 

The full text is below:

An open letter to the American people:

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have come together as physicians, nurses, and hospital and health system leaders to urge the American people to protect themselves, their neighbors and their loved ones amidst the worst global health crisis in generations. As we approach the point when a vaccine may be available, more than 260,000 Americans and more than 1.4 million people worldwide have lost their lives to COVID-19, we know that vaccines will save lives and help us turn the page on this virus. Vaccines have eradicated smallpox, nearly eliminated chickenpox and polio, and minimized the impact of countless other diseases. To achieve a similar result from COVID-19 vaccines requires trust in the process to develop, distribute and administer a safe and effective vaccine and broad willingness to get vaccinated.  

As partners in your health, we are committed to:

• Following the science. We are committed to supporting the rigorous scientific and regulatory process by which COVID-19 vaccines are evaluated and may ultimately be authorized and recommended for use in the population.
• Your health and safety. We commit to establishing safe and effective processes for administering vaccine to all who are eligible and choose to get vaccinated.
• Being transparent. We will make critical information about vaccines available as it is released, working together to share plans for vaccinating communities across this country. We will share the benefits and risks of a vaccine so that you can make an informed decision for yourself and your loved ones. 

We are committed as organizations to supporting a rigorous scientific and regulatory process by which COVID-19 vaccines are evaluated and may ultimately be approved. Until our population has been broadly immunized, we continue urging that you protect yourself and others from the virus by taking three critical, scientifically-proven steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19: wear a face mask, maintain physical distancing, and wash your hands. These actions remain essential. 

Know that your health and safety continues to remain our top priority and we will get through this together.

Your continued partners in health,

American Hospital Association
American Medical Association
American Nurses Association

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Media Contacts:

AHA Media Contact
Marie Johnson
mjohnson@aha.org

AMA Media and Editorial
312-464-4430
media@ama-assn.org

ANA Media Relations
newsroom@ana.org
 

About the American Hospital Association
The 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 is the national advocate for its members, which include nearly 5,000 hospitals, health care systems, networks, other providers of care and 43,000 individual members. 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. For more information, visit ama-assn.org.

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.