Thursday, December 1, 2022

Biden, HHS Prepare For Winter COVID With Vaccine Push

As winter sets in and Americans begin a season of travel, the Biden administration and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services are embarking on a new concerted push to get more shots in arms to protect against COVID-19.

"Community health centers save lives," said HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra in a press release

"We will continue to reach, vaccinate and protect our most vulnerable people across the country working together with community health centers and community-based organizations. We have seen COVID infections increase in prior winters, and it does not have to be that way this year. We now have updated COVID-19 vaccines to protect communities against the omicron strain. Our message is simple: Don't wait. Get an updated COVID-19 vaccine this fall. It's safe and effective."

HHS announced a $350 million initiative for health centers supported by HRSA to increase vaccination rates in their served communities, especially underserved populations.

The HHS multimillion-dollar initiative will fund health centers' efforts including mobile, drive-up, walk-up or community-based vaccination events.

HHS emphasized the strategic importance of health centers.

"These funds will ensure that people who live in underserved communities have access to updated COVID-19 vaccines this winter through community-based vaccination events hosted by healthcare providers and organizations they trust."

https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/payers/booster-rates-continue-lag-collaborative-government-effort-pushes-pricks-eoy 

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