FEMA Approves Over $213 Million for Massachusetts COVID-19 Vaccine Costs

Release Date Release Number
031
Release Date:
February 3, 2021

REGION I –Massachusetts will receive $ 213,284,522.50 from FEMA to support the Commonwealth with emergency protective measures to store, handle, transport, distribute, and administer the COVID-19 vaccine in accordance with their Vaccination Plan. These funds were expeditiously awarded to support the Executive Office of Health and Human Services in order to address this immediate threat to life and public safety.

As of January 28, 2021, the Commonwealth has administered approximately 496,000 doses of vaccine at an average rate of approximately 12,000 doses per day. As of this same date, there are 116 vaccination facilities across the Commonwealth. Massachusetts has developed a timeline that prioritizes administering the vaccine to certain groups across the Commonwealth (information here). This timeline reflects several priorities including protecting the most vulnerable, maintaining health care system capacity, and addressing inequities in health care access and COVID-19 burden. In order to achieve the Commonwealth’s strategy of maximizing the number of doses administered, the number of facilities will be expanded to meet demand.

“Through FEMA’s partnership, this critical funding will assist the Commonwealth in ensuring they have the necessary funds to carry out their vaccination plan.” said Acting Regional Administrator and Federal Coordinating Officer Paul Ford, who oversees FEMA’s operations in Massachusetts. 

Eligible costs include, but are not limited to: Personal Protection Equipment (PPE); storage equipment, including coolers, freezers, temperature monitoring devices, and portable vaccine storage units for transportation;  supplies such as emergency medical supplies (for emergency medical care needs that may arise in the administration of the vaccine), sharps containers (for medical waste), and proper storage as needed for canisters of liquid nitrogen or dry ice.

This grant is funded through FEMA’s Public Assistance (PA) Grant program which reimburses communities for actions taken in the immediate response and during recovery from a disaster. Eligible applicants include states, federally recognized tribal governments, U.S. territories, local governments, and certain private non-profit organizations. Grant applications are submitted from the state, which coordinates the process with local governments. 

FEMA obligates funding for this project directly to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Additional information about FEMA’s Public Assistance program can be found at https://www.fema.gov/public-assistance-local-state-tribal-and-non-profit.

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FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters

 

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