Barragán Asks Governor to Increase Vaccine Distribution to Underserved Areas and Communities of Color

Press Release

Today, Congresswoman Nanette Diaz Barragán encouraged Governor Gavin Newsom to create a plan to ensure that underserved areas and communities of color are not left behind during the vaccine distribution process.

In a letter delivered to Governor Newsom today, Congresswoman Barragán wrote, "Considering the fact that communities of color are at the greatest risk of exposure, are more likely to be essential workers, and have hospitalization and death rates that far surpass their proportion of the population, there needs to be a focus on getting the people in these communities vaccinated."

Representing one of the poorest congressional districts in California, Barragán has seen firsthand how the pandemic is devastating underserved communities.

Among her recommendations, Barragán wrote, "The state should consider earmarking shipments of the vaccine to be delivered directly to providers in underserved communities with the highest rates of infection and mortalities, including community health centers who serve underinsured and underserved communities."

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