“As the only physician serving in Pennsylvania’s Congressional delegation, I urge you, Acting Secretary Alison Beam, and your administration to prioritize the efficient and safe distribution of this lifesaving vaccine.”
ALTOONA – Congressman John Joyce, M.D. (PA-13), a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, today expressed alarming concern for Pennsylvania’s subpar COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan, which has excluded many rural Pennsylvanians, and asked Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf to clearly outline his plans to ensure that all eligible Pennsylvanians can access the vaccine.
After nearly two months of availability, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania remains far below the national average of total vaccine doses administered against total distribution levels. Currently, Pennsylvania ranks 37th amongst all states of doses administered per 100,000 people.
“I am disappointed by the alarming lack of vaccine access in rural communities, including those I represent in Pennsylvania’s 13th Congressional District. As I hear from Pennsylvanians every day, individuals who are eligible to receive the vaccine under your administration’s distribution guidelines simply cannot find a dose,” wrote Dr. Joyce. “In light of these vaccine shortages in our communities, I am incredibly concerned by your administration’s lack of communication and guidance for the Pennsylvanians, often those who are the most vulnerable to this virus, who are struggling to find information and assistance about the vaccine distribution process.”
In his letter, Dr. Joyce urged Governor Wolf and his administration to accelerate the vaccine distribution across the Commonwealth and clearly communicate with Pennsylvanians.
“The COVID-19 vaccine is the key to defeating this virus, rebuilding our economy, and restoring our communities. As the only physician serving in Pennsylvania’s Congressional delegation, I urge you, Acting Secretary Alison Beam, and your administration to prioritize the efficient and safe distribution of this lifesaving vaccine,” he continued.
On Tuesday, the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations will hold a hearing examining the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine in the states. Ahead of this hearing, Dr. Joyce has asked the Wolf Administration to provide clear objectives and plans for improving the rate of vaccinations in Pennsylvania, ensuring equity for rural communities in vaccine distribution, and improving communication with Pennsylvanians about the distribution process.
Read Dr. Joyce’s full letter below:
January 29, 2021
The Honorable Tom Wolf
Governor of Pennsylvania
508 Main Capitol Building
Harrisburg, PA 17120
Dear Governor Wolf,
As our Commonwealth continues to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, I am gravely concerned by your administration’s vaccine distribution operation. After nearly two months, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania remains far below the national average of total vaccine doses administered against total distribution levels. Currently, Pennsylvania ranks 37th amongst all states of doses administered per 100,000 people.
Furthermore, I am disappointed by the alarming lack of vaccine access in rural communities, including those I represent in Pennsylvania’s 13th Congressional District. As I hear from Pennsylvanians every day, individuals who are eligible to receive the vaccine under your administration’s distribution guidelines simply cannot find a dose. In light of these vaccine shortages in our communities, I am incredibly concerned by your administration’s lack of communication and guidance for the Pennsylvanians, often those who are the most vulnerable to this virus, who are struggling to find information and assistance about the vaccine distribution process.
Under the unprecedented partnership of Operation Warp Speed, multiple safe and effective vaccines were produced in record time and millions of doses were shipped across the country last year alone. In Congress, I worked with my colleagues in a bipartisan manner to promote the safety and efficacy of the vaccine by introducing legislation to fund a science-driven public advocacy campaign through the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Defeating the COVID-19 pandemic requires an all-hands-on-deck approach and collaboration among all levels of government and the medical community.
Unfortunately, rather than prioritize solutions, the Biden Administration has opted to engage in partisan finger-pointing and blame the Trump Administration for leaving them without a vaccine distribution plan. As Dr. Anthony Fauci has said in the media, this Biden Administration talking point is blatantly false.
It is further disappointing that the Biden Administration has set its target goal at administering 100 million vaccine doses in its first 100 days, given that this is the current rate of vaccination across the country. At face value, it is clear that the Biden plan is to simply continue the work of the previous administration and claim credit for it.
Next week, the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce will hold a hearing entitled “No Time to Lose: Solutions to Increase COVID-19 Vaccinations in the States.”
Ahead of this panel meeting, I would ask that you share with my office the following:
- Targets and goals for improving the rate of vaccinations in Pennsylvania
- Timeline for an accelerated distribution of the vaccine
- Plans to ensure equity for rural communities in the distribution.
- Plans to communicate with Pennsylvanians about the distribution process
The COVID-19 vaccine is the key to defeating this virus, rebuilding our economy, and restoring our communities. As the only physician serving in Pennsylvania’s Congressional delegation, I urge you, Acting Secretary Alison Beam, and your administration to prioritize the efficient and safe distribution of this lifesaving vaccine.
Thank you for your ongoing attention to this matter, and I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
John Joyce, M.D.
Member of Congress
