AARP Statement on Distribution of COVID Vaccines

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En español | WASHINGTON—AARP Executive Vice President and Chief Advocacy & Engagement Officer Nancy A. LeaMond issued the following statement in response to ongoing COVID-19 vaccine distribution planning and implementation:

“More than 333,000 American lives now have been lost due to COVID, and nearly 95 percent of those who have died were age 50 or over. Some 40 percent have been residents and staff in nursing homes. With remarkable speed, vaccines have been developed, and continue to be developed, and now it’s time to put them to good use. AARP is fighting for older Americans to be prioritized in getting COVID-19 vaccines because the science has clearly shown that older people are at higher risk of death. 

“We urge public health officials at the state and local level, as they decide on vaccine allocations, to rely on the evidence and make plans backed by science. As production is ramping up, AARP is advocating hard to ensure every older American who wants to get the vaccine can get it. It’s also vital that distribution plans for authorized vaccines are smoothly implemented. There’s no time to waste: it’s time for full-scale mobilization, and any delays or early bottlenecks in distribution systems need to be addressed urgently. AARP remains committed to protecting the health and well-being of our nearly 38 million members and all Americans as we work together to defeat this virus.”

AARP will continue to provide information about COVID-19 vaccines at aarp.org/coronavirus and in Spanish at aarp.org/ElCoronavirus.