ANA Applauds Authorization of Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 Vaccines for Youngest Children
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Zachary Levine
zachary.levine@ana.org
Keziah Proctor
keziah.proctor@ana.org
SILVER SPRING, MD - The American Nurses Association (ANA) applauds the decision of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to authorize Pfizer’s COVID vaccine for children younger than 5 and Moderna’s for children younger than 6. Vaccines remain the strongest tool to protect the most vulnerable members of our society—which includes millions of infants and young children—from COVID-19.
“This authorization should provide some peace of mind to worried parents who have spent years safeguarding their unvaccinated children against infection, disease, and hospitalization caused by COVID-19,” said ANA President Ernest Grant, PhD, RN, FAAN. “Getting infants and young children protected against COVID-19 will be critical this summer as cases will likely surge, especially in areas with lower vaccination rates. Now, entire families and households can receive the demonstrated and durable protection offered by the COVID-19 vaccine.”
Though we may be transitioning into a new endemic phase, COVID-19 remains dangerous, and the development of new variants means that vaccinations, and boosters, remain critical to mitigating the spread of the disease and alleviating the burden on both our health care system and nursing workforce.
ANA endorses mass vaccination as a significant public health victory and a scientifically proven strategy to prevent widespread cases of COVID-19. ANA recently partnered with the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and other national health care association presidents as part of a national campaign to encourage parents to get their children who are 5 and older vaccinated against COVID-19. Free resources from that campaign are available to help schedule a vaccination appointment near you and learn more about COVID vaccines for children.
“The science and evidence are overwhelming: vaccines keep you and your loved ones safe against COVID-19,” said Grant.
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The American Nurses Association (ANA) is the premier organization representing the interests of the nation's 4.3 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.
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