WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, Kweisi Mfume, Anthony Brown, Jamie Raskin and David Trone (all D-Md.) today announced $7,787,892 in American Rescue Plan funding to expand access to COVID-19 vaccines in underserved and minority communities across the region.

 

“While the American Rescue Plan has helped accelerate the COVID-19 vaccination effort in Maryland, far too many communities – and especially communities of color – still face significant barriers. This latest tranche of funding will make targeted investments, through trusted local messengers, to help reduce disparities in vaccine access and better protect vulnerable communities from the virus,” the lawmakers said.

 

These federal funds for the University of Maryland, Baltimore come from the Community-Based Workforce to Increase COVID-19 Vaccinations in Underserved Communities program at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to assist with the COVID-19 vaccine rollout in Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia. Through the program, new workers will be hired to assist with transportation, build vaccine confidence through educational resources and outreach initiatives and strengthen inoculation efforts in high-risk and minority communities.

 

The lawmakers previously announced more than $68 million in American Rescue Plan funding to bolster Maryland’s COVID-19 response and vaccine rollout.

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