House bill would fund a COVID-19 vaccine awareness campaign

A bipartisan bill authorizing a public advocacy campaign to promote COVID-19 vaccine participation and provide science-backed information was introduced in the House this week.

The bill provides necessary funds for the Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to provide grants to entities to launch public awareness campaigns.

“A COVID-19 vaccine will only be effective in defeating this virus if people have confidence in its safety and efficacy,” Rep. Roger Marshall (R-KS), one of the billʻs sponsors, said. “America is home to world-class scientists and a gold-standard regulatory agency that oversees the drug approval process. As a physician, I understand people’s concerns over this unprecedented process, but from the start, pharmaceutical scientists have been in constant contact with officials at the Food and Drug Administration, ensuring multiple layers of safety and oversight.”

The legislation is co-sponsored by Brad Wenstrup (R-OH), Ron Kind (D-WI), Scott Peters (D-CA), John Joyce (R-PA), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Neal Dunn (R-FL), and Albio Sires (D-NJ).

“Operation Warp Speed has produced a safe and effective vaccine in record time. A vaccine, however, will only lead us out of this pandemic and allow us to restore our way of life if enough Americans are willing to receive it,” Wenstrup said. “It is more important than ever that we provide science-based, factual information about COVID-19 vaccines to the American people. I believe providing accurate information about vaccines will help alleviate concerns and empower Americans to make sound medical decisions.”

Similar legislation was introduced in the Senate by Sens. Rob Portman (R-OH), Ben Cardin (D-MD), John Thune (R-SD), and Bob Menendez (D-NJ).

“Today is a turning point in the COVID-19 pandemic as millions of vaccines are shipped across the country and arrive to Wisconsin, and we begin to inoculate our health care workers and most vulnerable to the virus. But for these vaccines to ultimately bring an end to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is critical that Americans are willing to receive them,” Kind said. “I am proud to support this bipartisan bill to provide resources to trusted local leaders across the country to raise awareness and share factual, evidence-based information about COVID-19 vaccines with the communities they serve.”