FEMA Supports Vaccine Distribution: COVID-19 Response Update

Release Date Release Number
HQ-21-027
Release Date:
February 9, 2021

WASHINGTON – FEMA has now provided more than $3.15 billion to states, tribes, territories and the District of Columbia for expenses related to COVID-19 vaccination at 100% federal cost share and deployed 752 incident management and 317 incident support staff across the nation to support vaccine centers with federal personnel and technical assistance. Additional FEMA staff across the country are supporting virtually.

FEMA is supporting vaccination centers by providing expedited financial assistance, federal equipment and supplies, and deploying federal personnel to states, tribes, territories and other eligible applicants for vaccination efforts. This assistance is processed when a request is submitted.

As the number of states with obligations increases, FEMA continues to work alongside other federal agencies to provide federal support for critical staffing, supplies and other shortfalls that can help get more Americans vaccinated.

Additionally, FEMA is working with the Ad Council to encourage hesitant or underrepresented Americans to get vaccinated. This research-driven public education campaign provides federal, non-profit and medical stakeholders with insights and communications strategies to tailor communications to reach diverse audiences.

FEMA and Other Federal Agencies Are Supporting Vaccine Centers

FEMA, through its National Response Coordination Center and 10 regional offices across the nation, is coordinating with other federal agencies to meet state, tribal and territorial needs. FEMA is providing support to established community vaccination centers and National Guard operations to expand access to vaccines.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is supporting FEMA’s COVID-19 federally supported Community Vaccination Centers response. USACE is supporting six FEMA mission assignments to support vaccination centers across the nation. This support includes subject matter expert support to existing FEMA/state assessment teams, including electrical engineering support, providing site assessments for new sites and providing contracting capability to establish new sites.

The U.S. National Guard Bureau is providing 1,145 vaccinators, to 363 vaccination centers in 40 states and territories. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin III approved 1,110 active duty troops to support five vaccine centers. FEMA will be partnering with the Department of Defense for additional resources at vaccination centers throughout the country.

On Feb 5, DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas activated the DHS Surge Capacity Force for vaccine support operations. The force is composed of federal employees from other DHS components and augments FEMA’s incident management workforce. These members will receive either virtual or in-person orientation and training from FEMA before deploying to support vaccine centers.

Vaccine Guidance

The CDC Vaccine Task Force and Data Analysis & Visualization Task Force launched the CDC COVID Data Tracker Vaccinations Trends page. This page includes the overall trends of vaccinations over time in the US and for the Federal Pharmacy Partnership for Long-Term Care Program. The vaccine is not a perfect fix. Everyone should continue to practice other precautions like wearing a mask, maintaining physical distance, handwashing and other hygiene measures until public health officials say otherwise.

 

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