SILVER SPRING, MD – The American Nurses Association (ANA) underscores the urgency to follow the science and evidence to swiftly mitigate the impact of the highly transmissible and contagious Delta variant that is stalling our nation’s efforts to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. ANA continues to implore all health care professionals and the public to follow the science, adhere to the latest guidance of public health officials, and get vaccinated against COVID-19. 

“COVID-19 is a formidable opponent,” said ANA President Ernest Grant, PhD, RN, FAAN. “However, we have tools in our arsenal to defeat it. Vaccines are effective in preventing the uptick of new infections and hospitalizations daily in areas of the country experiencing surges from the Delta variant. The normalcy that we all desperately seek can be achieved if enough people get vaccinated against COVID-19.”

ANA has and continues to strongly advocate that the public practice the precautions recommended by public health officials to prevent the spread of COVID-19 until the U.S. population has been broadly immunized against the virus. Americans who remain apprehensive about getting vaccinated should seek credible information from a trusted health care professional and ask family members and community leaders who have been vaccinated about their experience. 

ANA has consistently called for all nurses and health care workers to be vaccinated against COVID-19 according to current recommendations for immunization of health care professionals and supports the mandate of vaccinations. ANA provides nurses education and resources to guide their understanding and consideration of COVID-19 vaccines. It is critical that health care professionals model the same health maintenance and prevention measures as their patients – this protects health care teams, colleagues, patients, and the community.

“As a nation, we must collectively stay the course and do our part to stop the spread. Vaccination is a significant public health victory and a scientifically proven strategy to slow the spread of COVID-19 and prevent the loss of more American lives,” said Dr. Grant.

Source: dailynurse.com