Congressman Krishnamoorthi Urges President Trump To Join The Chorus Of Those Advocating For More Funding For COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Efforts

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi sent a letter to President Trump urging him to actively advocate for more funding for COVID-19 vaccine distribution efforts. Given the promising results of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, the country must ensure that it's adequately prepared to effectively distribute a vaccine. The success of that endeavor will require increased funding from the government.

As of now, the CDC has provided $200 million to states for vaccine distribution, but state and local officials have said that is not close to what they will require to properly inoculate their populations. As a result, Congressman Krishnamoorthi expressed his concern and called on President Trump to ensure that states are equipped to execute this important next phase in defeating COVID-19.

"While Congress must approve additional funding for vaccine distribution efforts before it reaches your desk, the vocal support of the President of the United States will only strengthen the effort to move this funding through Congress," Congressman Krishnamoorthi said.

Congressman Krishnamoorthi suggested that President Trump take heed of advice from the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) and the Association of Immunization Managers (AIM), who have requested at least $8.4 billion for COVID-19 vaccination distribution.

"The approval of a COVID-19 vaccine will be an enormous step forward in defeating the pandemic, but only through fully funding state and local vaccine distribution efforts will we be able to capitalize on that achievement and bring this dark chapter in our nation's history to a close," Congressman Krishnamoorthi said.

A copy of the letter is available here.