Drive to Enhance COVID-19 Vaccine Awareness Garners Bipartisan Support

WASHINGTON – This week, Rep. Brad Wenstrup, R-Ohio, introduced legislation in the House to authorize a public advocacy campaign to promote COVID-19 vaccine participation and provide science-backed information to the public.

Joined by Reps. Ron Kind, D-Wis., Roger Marshall, R-Kan., Scott Peters, D-Calif., John Joyce, R-Pa., Andy Kim, D-N.J., Neal Dunn, R-Fla., and Albio Sires, D-N.J., 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 no less than 30 days after a vaccine is authorized.

“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,” said Wenstrup. “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.”

“Today is a turning point in the COVID-19 pandemic as millions of vaccines are shipped across the country and arrive in 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,” said Kind. “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.”

The bill is a companion to legislation introduced in the Senate by Senators Rob Portman, R-Ohio, Ben Cardin, D-Md., John Thune, R-S.D., and Bob Menendez, D-N.J.

Full bill text can be found here.