Protect Health Workers Now: Statement from IntraHealth International on the White House COVID Summit

September 22, 2021In a video submitted today to the White House COVID Summit as part of theUnited Nations General Assembly, IntraHealth International president and CEOPolly Dunford advised US leaders to take action to protect health workers from the pandemic and equip them to achieve our global vaccination goals.“I urge all leaders attending today to build on the targets presented by the US,” Dunford said.“Because vaccines don ' t administer themselves—health workers do. We must ensure there are enough paid, trained, supervised health workers to end COVID-19, maintain essential health services, and prepare for the next pandemic.”Right now, only about1 in 8 health workers is vaccinated against COVID-19.  At least115,000 health workers have died of COVID-19 since the pandemic began. And vaccine readiness is at75% or below in 13 African countries, according to theWorld Health Organization.“This is unacceptable,” Dunford said.“I urge you to set a clear deadline for vaccinating all health workers against COVID-19, including community health workers. We’re eager to work in partnership to reach the targets of this Summit—and end this crisis.”To do this, IntraHealth commits to the following:IntraHealth will help vaccinate the world against COVID-19.We believe that health workers are essential to achieving these aggressive targets. We support around450,000 health workers who will aid in these efforts.We will save l...
Source: IntraHealth International - Category: International Medicine & Public Health Authors: Source Type: news