COVID 19 RESOURCE

Purpose

This document is developed to promote and propagate NAINA’s position regarding COVID-19 vaccination.

Background

In March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 as a pandemic.

This pandemic has not only highlighted the resilience of nurses but also shed light into the areas needing immediate attention in our healthcare systems and public health infrastructures nationally and globally. Further, this pandemic impacted our lifestyles, core values, socioeconomic stability, governmental functions, policies, and allocation of resources (Rathod et al., 2020; Smith et al., 2020). Health disparities and challenges due to a lack of consensus on emergent health issues, were highlighted as the infections took a greater toll on the most vulnerable population. (Smith et al., 2020).

NAINA’s Position Statement

NAINA stands united with other healthcare organizations, including American Nurses Association (ANA), and American Nurses Foundation (ANF). We are committed to bringing critical evidence-based current COVID-19 vaccination information to our nurse members and their communities. NAINA has confidence in the vaccine trials and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) data evaluation processes.

NAINA believes in and supports:

1. Evidence-based healthcare delivery and practices for our frontline healthcare workers and our communities including COVID-19 vaccinations.
2. Our nurses in their decisions based on evidence when receiving and/ or administering vaccines to those who are eligible and desiring vaccinations.
3. Caring for the employees of healthcare and essential services.
4. Removing all barriers that prevent community’s access to healthcare services including COVID-19 testing, treatment, and vaccinations.
5. Educating healthcare workers and the public to empower them to become informed consumers of healthcare.

NAINA recognizes that vaccination of all eligible people worldwide is imperative in bringing an end to the COVID-19 pandemic. We support all endeavors to safe and effective vaccinations as they relate to preventing infection, reducing the severity of the disease, and interrupting the chain of transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 viruses. NAINA believes in the FDA’s rigorous and scientific regulatory processes overseeing the safety, effectiveness, and quality of vaccines that are being developed and distributed in the U. S.

Conclusion

NAINA strongly supports efforts to ensure all healthcare workers, patients, and communities have equitable access to COVID-19 vaccination. We also remain committed that our nurses shall serve as role models in promoting evidence-based public health education and practices including vaccinations, mask wearing, hand washing and social distancing.

References

Rathod, S., Pallikadavath, S., Young, A. H., Graves, L., Rahman, M., Brooks, A., Soomro, M., Rathod, P., & Phiri, P. (2020). Psychological impact of covid-19 pandemic: Protocol and results of first three weeks from an international cross-section survey – focus on health professionals. Journal of Affective Disorders Reports, 1, 100005.

Smith, K. M., Machalaba, C. C., Seifman, R., Feferholtz, Y., & Karesh, W. B. (2019). Infectious disease and economics: The case for considering multi-sectoral impacts. One Health, 7, 100080. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.onehlt.2018.100080

Additional Resources

World Health Organization
Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19) Pandemic
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
COVID-19
Vaccine Trails
COVID-19 Vaccinations
Key things to know about COVID-19 Vaccines
Food & Drug Administration
COVID- 19 Vaccines