Media Contact: Patrick Wright -- Patrick.Wright@mail.house.gov
Washington, D.C. — Rep. Donald M. Payne, Jr. wrote FEMA today to request the agency list Essex County as a candidate for a federal vaccination center. In a letter to FEMA Administrator Peter Gaynor, Rep. Payne, Jr. said a federal center would increase county vaccination rates by 6,000 per day and help Essex County reduce positive COVID-19 tests, which have been increasing slightly since February. The letter was supported by all four members of Congress with constituents in Essex County: Rep. Albio Sires, Rep. Tom Malinowski, and Rep. Mikie Sherrill.
“During this global pandemic, Essex County had one of the highest COVID-19 infection and death rates in the country,” said Rep. Donald M. Payne, Jr. “The county could have a large population of people who are carrying the disease, but don’t show any symptoms for it. A federal vaccination center would increase vaccination rates in the county, eliminate the disease from asymptomatic carriers, and protect all residents from future infections.”
In the letter, Rep. Payne, Jr. said that Essex County has been one of the “hardest hit” counties in New Jersey with nearly 2,500 deaths, 12 percent of the statewide total, and 74,000 cases, nine percent of the state’s total. Statewide, there have been more than 878,000 positive COVID-19 cases and more than 24,000 deaths since the pandemic began. In addition, Rep. Payne, Jr. said that Essex County is in a “race against new variants of the virus.” He continued that while vaccine distribution has increased to more than 200,000 doses in Essex County, the county needs additional federal support to get more residents vaccinated as quickly as possible.
The full letter is below.
March 25, 2021
The Honorable Peter T. Gaynor
Administrator
Federal Emergency Management Agency
500 C Street, SW, Room 8 SW
Washington, DC 20472
Dear Administrator Gaynor:
We respectfully ask that you include Essex County, New Jersey, as a candidate for a Type 1 Federal Pilot Community Vaccination Center.
The COVID-19 pandemic has been especially hard on New Jersey and Essex County is the hardest-hit county in the state. The nearly 2,500 Essex County deaths represent 12 percent of the statewide mortality total, and the 74,000 cases are 9 percent of the state’s total. Statewide, there have been over 878,000 positive cases and over 24,000 deaths since this pandemic began.
We are currently in a race against new variants of the virus. Vaccine administration has increased this year, with over 200,000 doses administered in Essex County and 2.6 million people statewide having received at least one dose. Despite this success, COVID-19 cases have been on a slight increase since February. We need additional federal support to get as many shots into arms as quickly as possible.
A Federal Pilot Community Vaccination Center would provide up to 6,000 vaccinations per day, helping to turn the corner and decrease the overall COVID-19 positivity rate in Essex County. These sites are to be selected based on data that includes the CDC’s Social Vulnerability Index. Under these guidelines, Essex County is rated with a “high” level of social vulnerability, indicating an increased risk to people’s lives and health during the ongoing public health emergency.
We respectfully and strongly urge you to include Essex County, New Jersey as a site for a Type 1 Federal Pilot Community Vaccination Center, and we are ready to assist in any way we can.
Sincerely,
Original source can be found here.
