AVMA national awareness campaign encourages COVID-19 vaccinations

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) has rolled out a nationwide education and awareness campaign urging veterinary teams, their clients and the general public to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

According to an organizational release, the initiative was encouraged by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)—which understands the critical part veterinarians play in society and public health. In addition, surveys have revealed that an estimated 90% of AVMA members are currently vaccinated, thus displaying the value veterinary professionals place on preventive care, and their confidence in the vaccine’s safety and efficacy.

"We want our veterinary staff, animal owners, and our communities to be safe and healthy, and that's why we join our colleagues in human medicine and science in actively promoting the importance of the COVID-19 vaccine," said José Arce, DVM, president of the AVMA, in the release.

"Veterinary medicine has a clear public health mission," Arce continued. "In fact, when we take our Oath, we specifically commit to the 'promotion of public health.' Encouraging preventive health care, including vaccination, is part of that commitment. Especially with flu season underway and the approach of winter, we strongly encourage vaccination to protect overall public well-being."

The campaign is planned to go through late December and will feature a wide array of printed and digital materials available for AVMA members (eg, a social media toolkit, brochures, and posters for veterinary lobbies and offices) encouraging staff, pet owners, and the public to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. These resources can be found here: www.avma.org/VaccinationTools.

"Veterinarians are healthcare providers trusted not only by their clients but by the public at large, we understand the power of vaccines, and we have been enlisted as COVID vaccination providers in some areas," said Arce.

"We recognize that vaccination is a choice and that not everyone may be able to receive one. But we are uniquely qualified to share the importance of preventing and controlling disease in both animals and people. Protecting public health is part of a veterinarian's responsibility and appropriate preventive care, including vaccinations, goes a long way towards protecting public health,” he continued.

Reference

AVMA launches national awareness campaign to encourage COVID-19 vaccinations. News release. American Veterinary Medical Association. November 22, 2021. Accessed November 29, 2021. https://www.avma.org/news/press-releases/avma-launches-national-awareness-campaign-encourage-covid-19-vaccinations