States tell Congress they need $8.4B for COVID-19 vaccine efforts

States are asking Congress for at least $8.4 billion to distribute a COVID-19 vaccine, according to The Hill.

In a letter to Congress, the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials and Association of Immunization Managers say states don't have enough money to distribute a vaccine.

The CDC has given states $200 million for vaccine distribution thus far.

Claire Hannan, executive director of the Association of Immunization Managers, told The Hill that the $200 million equates to about 60 cents per person, and is "not adequate to vaccinate every American with the expected two-dose course." Without more money, vaccination efforts are "doomed to fail," Ms. Hannan said.

The $8.4 billion in funding would include $3 billion for recruitment and training for state and local health departments; $1.2 billion for transportation and storage; $500 million for outreach efforts to fight vaccine misinformation; and $1 billion to create more vaccination sites.

Copyright © 2024 Becker's Healthcare. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy. Cookie Policy. Linking and Reprinting Policy.

Featured Learning Opportunities

Featured Podcast