American Lung Association Supports Strengthening Efforts to help End Pandemic, including COVID-19 Booster Shot Plan, Masking, Employee Mandated Vaccinations

This week, the Biden Administration advised that all Americans should receive COVID-19 booster shots eight months after being fully vaccinated. The recommendation is being evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

In response, American Lung Association President and CEO Harold Wimmer issued the following statement:

“As we see an alarming rise in COVID-19 cases, specifically of the highly contagious Delta variant, more protection is needed to keep Americans healthy. As the trusted champion of lung health, the American Lung Association supports the latest recommendation. Being fully vaccinated is especially important for people who are at higher risk for severe COVID-19 symptoms, including seniors, people who are immunocompromised like patients with lung cancer, those who have received lung transplants and people who live with lung disease.

“The Lung Association recently announced that they are requiring all employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before physically returning to the workplace and encourages other organizations to make this a requirement as well.

“In addition to getting vaccinated, we encourage everyone to continue to rigorously follow the CDC recommendations to reduce the risk of getting COVID-19 by wearing a mask according to CDC guidelines, maintaining social distancing, including avoiding crowded indoor spaces, washing your hands often, and staying home if you feel unwell.”

“Together, we can slow the spread of COVID-19 and end this global pandemic through widespread vaccination.”

More information about COVID-19 can be found at Lung.org/covid19 or the Lung HelpLine at 1-800-LUNGUSA. For journalists seeking to schedule a media interview with a lung health expert on COVID-19, contact Jill Dale at the American Lung Association at 312-940-7001 or [email protected].