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'Dwindling Confidence', 'Limited Belief That Vaccine Access Is Equitable'

January 29, 2021

Members of U.S. Congress from Maryland sent a letter to Gov. Larry Hogan (R) requesting more transparency about measures being taken to increase equity for the vaccine and for clearer communication with citizens in the state. U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen and Congressmen Steny Hoyer, Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, Kweisi Mfume, Anthony Brown, Jamie Raskin and David Trone (all Md.-D) were the ones who signed the letter to Hogan. Rep. Andy Harris (Md.-R) was the only Maryland congressional member not to sign the letter. The letter addressed how distrust of the vaccine in communities of color -- more specifically Black communities -- has been a major concern, and that overall communication during the vaccine rollout has been a worry. "Right now, there is dwindling confidence in the process and limited belief that vaccine access is equitable. Specifically, we ask the state to collaborate with trusted community leaders to quickly implement education and outreach plans to increase vaccinations in communities of color," says part of the letter.

Issues:Health Care