ANA Applauds CDC's Approval to Add COVID-19 Vaccines to Its Immunization Schedules

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Keziah Proctor, keziah.proctor@ana.org
Shannon McClendon, shannon.mcclendon@ana.org

SILVER SPRING, MD – The following statement is attributable to American Nurses Association President Jennifer Mensik Kennedy, PhD, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN:

“ANA applauds this landmark decision by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to incorporate COVID-19 vaccines into the routine immunization schedule. We fully support this important step to simplify and standardize the COVID-19 vaccine process for both adults and children. This aligns with ANA’s longstanding position on immunizations. COVID-19 is here to stay, so it’s essential we begin to treat this virus similar to other seasonal viruses such as influenza in order to stay ahead of the curve. With the COVID viral strain regularly mutating, even fully vaccinated individuals must continue following the regimented vaccine schedule as recommended by your nurses and other health care professionals in order to maintain increased protection. ANA continues to call for all eligible adults and children—including those under 6 and younger—to get vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19.”

ANA is part of a national public service announcement (PSA)  urging the public to make sure they are up-to-date on their COVID-19 vaccines, including the updated bivalent booster dose when eligible. The PSA stresses that COVID-19 vaccines, including the updated boosters, protect us from serious disease and death and are safe and effective.

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