'They are the tool that will help us emerge from this devastating pandemic,' AANP president says.
The American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) has announced its support for employers who require their employees to get the COVID-19 vaccine.
The AANP board of directors passed a resolution supporting the efforts of employers to create a safe environment and to stop the spread of COVID-19 in offices, healthcare settings, and other places where people gather.
“AANP supports employers moving to mandated vaccinations to protect employees, patients, families, friends, and all Americans across our great nation and to stop the spread of this virus," April Kapu, DNP, APRN, ACNP-BC, FAANP, FCCM, FAAN, president of AANP, said in a press release. "As nurse practitioners (NPs), we are deeply respectful of the trust patients put in us to provide the very best advice and care—and NPs will continue to deliver that care each and every day.”
"Thank you to the many AANP members who have thoughtfully considered all perspectives of this important discussion," Kapu said. "It’s critical we all get vaccinated as soon as possible. In the millions already vaccinated, vaccines have shown their ability to fight this deadly virus. They are the tool that will help us emerge from this devastating pandemic."
AANP began urging everyone to get vaccinated as soon as the first vaccine came out last year. Those currently unvaccinated continue to be at very high risk of acquiring COVID-19, and it’s these patients who are overwhelmingly the most of new hospitalizations and deaths.
Use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and social distancing continue to play an important role in alleviating transmission of COVID-19, and AANP supports the use of PPE when around this and other highly contagious viruses.
Vaccination, however, remains the most powerful and effective tool in fighting COVID-19.
Carol Davis is the Nursing Editor at HealthLeaders, an HCPro brand.