Amid Increase in Respiratory Viruses, ANA Urges Eligible Adults and Children to Get Vaccinated
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SILVER SPRING, MD – The American Nurses Association (ANA) continues to urge all eligible adults and children to get vaccinated against COVID-19, Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection (RSV), the flu, and if eligible, to receive a booster. The CDC reports that, while respiratory illness activity and the circulation of new variants is increasing across the United States, vaccination rates for COVID-19, influenza, and RSV remain low. Additionally, the variant JN.1, which was detected only in September, accounts for 39% of cases according to pre-holiday reports from the CDC. Despite most hospitals and health care settings having eased or eliminated masking requirements last spring, some health systems are reinstating mask requirements to slow the spread of infection given rising cases of respiratory illnesses, hospitalizations, and even deaths across the United States.
ANA, in alignment with its longstanding position on immunizations, emphasizes that effective protection of public health requires that all individuals receive immunizations against vaccine-preventable diseases. “Considering increasing respiratory virus activity, ANA calls on nurses to continue to educate the public and support evidence informed prevention measures as their ethical duty to protect our patients and communities” said President Jennifer Mensik Kennedy, PhD, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN. ANA will continue to provide all nurses education and resources to guide their understanding and consideration of vaccines.
The public should follow the guidance issued by the CDC to avoid spreading viruses and to stay healthy. ANA urges all eligible individuals, as well as nurses and health care professionals, to get vaccinated and recommended boosters.
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About the American Nurses Association
The American Nurses Association (ANA) is the premier organization representing the interests of the nation's more than 5 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.