KENTUCKY — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced Tuesday it has awarded Kentucky $40,369,236 "to support local efforts to increase vaccine uptake by expanding COVID-19 vaccine programs and ensuring greater equity and access to vaccine by those disproportionately affected by SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19," the agency said in a release.
What You Need To Know
- CDC awarding Kentucky over $40 million for vaccine efforts
- The dollars are part of $3 billion in funding the CDC has granted to 64 jurisdictions to assist with vaccine distribution, more
- 75% of the funding must focus on specific programs, initiatives intended to increase vaccine access, acceptance, and uptake among racial and ethnic minority communities
- 60% must go to support local health departments, community-based organizations, and community health centers
The dollars are part of $3 billion in funding the CDC has granted to 64 jurisdictions to assist with vaccine distribution, access, and administration efforts. The funding comes from the American Resue Plan and the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act and "will provide critical support through CDC’s existing immunization cooperative agreements in communities around the country," said the release.
“We are doing everything we can to expand access to vaccinations,” said CDC Director Rochelle P. Walensky, MD, MPH. “Millions of Americans are getting vaccinated every day, but we need to ensure that we are reaching those in the communities hit hardest by this pandemic. This investment will support state and local health departments and community-based organizations as they work on the frontlines to increase vaccine access, acceptance, and uptake.”
The CDC said 75% of the total funding must focus on specific programs and initiatives intended to increase vaccine access, acceptance, and uptake among racial and ethnic minority communities. Also, 60% must go to support local health departments, community-based organizations, and community health centers.
The agency provided an example of how to use the funds, such as identifying and training trusted members of the community to conduct door-to-door outreach to raise awareness about COVID-19 vaccines and help sign people up for appointments. The funds could also be used to support hiring community health workers who perform culturally competent bilingual health outreach so they can provide people who are receiving care with the information they need to receive a free vaccination.
The CDC said these awards are part of ongoing efforts by the CDC and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to increase public education, awareness, and access to vaccines while strengthening health equity.
More information on where the funds will be distributed can be found online.
Curious how vaccination rates look in your county? Check out this map from the Associated Press.