AAI Congratulates President Biden and Vice President Harris, Recognizes Administration’s Commitment to Science
AAI sent a letter to President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris congratulating them on their inauguration and recognizing their “commitment to fact-based inquiry, diversity, and international collaboration” and their “strong belief in the promise of scientific research.” The letter, which was signed by AAI President Jenny Ting, Ph.D., AAI Chief Executive Officer Michele Hogan, Ph.D., and AAI Committee on Public Affairs Chair Ross Kedl, Ph.D., also offers the assistance of AAI to the new Administration.
AAI Issues Statement on Herd Immunity Against COVID-19
AAI President Jenny Ting, Ph.D., and AAI Committee on Public Affairs Chair Ross Kedl, Ph.D., recently issued a statement opposing an “unprecedented and dangerous strategy to achieve ‘herd immunity’ by intentionally allowing COVID-19 to infect healthy Americans.” While achieving herd immunity in the population is critically important, “vaccination is the only proven, responsible way to accomplish this goal.”
AAI Leadership Issues Statement on the Politicization of Science
The AAI leadership issued a statement on October 14 expressing deep concern about “reports of significant and increasing political interference by the Administration in efforts by ... CDC and FDA ... to keep the public safe” during the COVID-19 pandemic. The statement, signed by all members of the AAI Council and the Chair of the Committee on Public Affairs, urges the Trump Administration and Congress to follow the advice of key scientific and public health leaders throughout the pandemic and cautions against “any actions that would lead to the premature approval of any drug or vaccine candidate.”
AAI Opposes U.S Withdrawal from WHO and Visa Changes Affecting Some Chinese Scientists/Students
AAI Committee on Public Affairs Chair Ross M. Kedl, Ph.D., recently issued a statement opposing two actions taken by President Donald Trump: withdrawing the U.S. from the WHO and issuing a Proclamation that disallows visas for certain Chinese students and researchers. According to Kedl, “[t]aken together, the President’s actions will seriously harm the ability of U.S. and international scientists and public health leaders to work collaboratively to combat this pandemic and advance other important scientific research.”
AAI Urges President, Congressional Leaders, to Heed Advice of Dr. Fauci and other Scientific and Public Health Experts During COVID-19 Pandemic
The leadership of AAI sent a letter on April 15 to the President and key Members of Congress emphasizing that “[n]ow more than ever, it is essential that we allow the science, and those who know it best, to play a leading role in guiding us through these difficult times.” The letter describes the crucial contributions that immunologists, including Dr. Anthony Fauci, are making to global efforts to combat COVID-19.