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DHS and FEMA
FEMA's Role in Covid-19 Vaccine

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This Digest is provided by FEMA's Individual & Community Preparedness Division to highlight community preparedness and resilience resources, an important part of FEMA's mission to help people before, during, and after disasters. We're building a culture of preparedness together.

FEMA Advisory: FEMA Supports COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Amid Winter Weather Response (February 16, 2021 )

Be heard…Email comments or suggestions to us at FEMA-prepare@fema.dhs.gov

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FEMA continues to support vaccine distribution efforts, including the opening of the first Community Vaccination Center in California, while responding to the recent winter storms and urging individuals and families to prepare for additional winter weather.

Acting FEMA Administrator Bob Fenton is attending the opening of the first Community Vaccination Center in California today -- at California State University in Los Angeles. The center is focusing on vaccinating underserved and historically marginalized communities. Another pilot Community Vaccination Center is also opening today in Oakland, California. Both centers are designed to administer up to 6,000 vaccines a day. FEMA is providing resources, operational and federal staffing support.

FEMA has now obligated more than $3.38 billion to states, tribes and territories, and Washington, D.C., for community vaccination centers. As the number of states with obligations increases, we will work alongside other federal agencies to provide federal support for critical staffing, supplies and other shortfalls that can help get more people vaccinated.

Winter Storm Preparedness

Acting FEMA Administrator Bob Fenton is attending the opening of the first Community Vaccination Center in California today -- at California State University in Los Angeles. The center is focusing on vaccinating underserved and historically marginalized communities. Another pilot Community Vaccination Center is also opening today in Oakland, California. Both centers are designed to administer up to 6,000 vaccines a day. FEMA is providing resources, operational and federal staffing support.

FEMA has now obligated more than $3.38 billion to states, tribes and territories, and Washington, D.C., for community vaccination centers. As the number of states with obligations increases, we will work alongside other federal agencies to provide federal support for critical staffing, supplies and other shortfalls that can help get more people vaccinated.

Vaccine Distribution Key Messages

  • At the President's direction, FEMA has increased its support to states, tribes and territories for vaccination centers. FEMA has already obligated more than $3.38 billion to states, tribes and territories, and Washington, D.C. for community vaccination centers. As the number of states with obligations increases, we will work alongside other federal agencies to provide federal support for critical staffing, supplies and other shortfalls that can help get more people vaccinated.
  • Everyone has a role to play in increasing vaccinations. Support your family, friends and neighbors if they need help getting appointments or getting to a vaccination center.
    • You can help those without access to technology or those with low computer literacy to sign up online.
  • The pilot Community Vaccination Centers in Los Angeles and Oakland, California are scheduled to open today. The centers are designed to administer up to 6,000 vaccines a day. FEMA is providing resources, operational support and federal staffing support.

Federal Funding to Accelerate Vaccine Efforts

  • Providing funding to states, tribes and territories is an Administration priority. After a request is submitted, reviewed, and validated, FEMA can expedite reimbursement for eligible emergency work projects to ensure resources are available to support vaccine distribution and administration.
  • As of Feb. 15, FEMA has provided more than $3.38 billion to 33 states, the District of Columbia, three tribes and three territories for expenses related to COVID-19 vaccination at 100% federal cost share.
  • These funds cover critical supplies, staffing, training and transportation needs that support increased vaccination efforts.
  • The costs of purchasing the vaccine and support kits are not covered by these obligations and do not duplicate any HHS funding. COVID-19 Vaccines and support kits are provided to state, tribal and territorial governments at no cost by the federal government.
  • By law, FEMA funding cannot duplicate costs covered by other federal funding programs or initiatives. FEMA works closely with other federal agencies to provide information about the eligible use of various COVID-19 funding resources. As part of the FEMA Public Assistance program application process, applicants must certify that assistance is not being duplicated.
  • The Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 appropriates $2 billion to FEMA to provide financial assistance to households for COVID-19-related funeral expenses at a 100% federal cost.
    • FEMA is finalizing an interim policy and will be hiring contract support through the federal acquisitions process to help administer the program.
  • As of Feb. 15, the Disaster Relief Fund balance is more than $12.9 billion. These funds will support continued response to COVID-19, including expanded vaccination efforts across the country by providing financial assistance to governments and other eligible applicants for vaccination efforts as well as personal protective equipment, alternative care sites and durable medical equipment.

FEMA and Other Federal Agencies Are Supporting Vaccine Centers

  • FEMA is seeking bids to contract medical personnel to help staff both federally supported and community vaccination centers around the country.
    • The contracts will be awarded through the federal acquisition process and are expected to be completed by mid-March.
    • Local and community-based hospitals, state-managed centers as well as federally supported and federally managed centers would receive staff from these contracts exclusively for vaccine support.
  • FEMA has finalized a contract for 30 mobile vaccination units; inspection and delivery of initial production is in progress.
  • As of Feb. 15, FEMA has deployed 1,279 staff across the nation to support vaccination centers with federal personnel and technical assistance. A National Incident Management Assistance Team has deployed to Albany, New York to support the state's vaccination program.
  • One FEMA Corps team is supporting the Region 2 regional response coordination center. Additional FEMA Corps teams are at the Kentucky Emergency Operation Center to provide Kentucky residents information on vaccination locations and the Commonwealth's vaccine website . Additionally, AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) teams are supporting a vaccination center in New Jersey.
  • FEMA published a Community Vaccination Centers Playbook that establishes guidance for providing federal support to state, tribal and territorial Community Vaccination Centers. Information includes interagency coordination, resource support, facility setup and other requirements.
  • The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is supporting future planning for community vaccination centers using their subject matter experts, alongside FEMA and state assessments teams, to assess potential new site locations and provide contract capability for establishment
    • USACE is also coordinating with FEMA and the CDC to design walk-up, drive-through, and mobile vaccination centers. Vaccination center size and location are decided by state, local, tribal and territorial governments.
    • The intent of these designs is the use of existing infrastructure when available.
  • The U.S. National Guard Bureau is providing 1,201 vaccinators to 385 vaccination centers in 43 states and territories.
  • Additionally, 714 interagency vaccinators have deployed to Arizona, California, Nevada, New Jersey, Navajo Nation, Oklahoma and Texas.
  • Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin approved 1,110 active duty troops to support five vaccination centers. FEMA will be partnering with the Department of Defense for additional resources at vaccination centers throughout the country.

Ensuring Equitable Vaccine Access

  • To address and prevent COVID-19 health inequities and ensure an equitable response to the pandemic, the Biden administration announced a task force .
  • FEMA is committed to ensuring every person who wants a vaccine can get one.
  • FEMA and the CDC are working with state, local, tribal and territorial governments on the critical need to identify vaccine center locations that ensure vulnerable and under-served populations have access to vaccines.
  • FEMA has civil rights advisors and disability integration specialists in each of FEMAs regions to advise state, local, tribal and territorial governments and other partners. Additional disability integration advisors and civil rights advisors are deploying to support these efforts.   
  • FEMA established a Civil Rights Advisory Group to proactively consider and promptly resolve civil rights concerns and help ensure equity in the allocation of scarce resources including future vaccine allocation.
    • This group evaluates policies, practices, strategies and plans to ensure equity is at the forefront of all FEMA vaccination efforts across the country.
  • FEMA developed a Civil Rights Checklist to assist state, tribal and territorial partners in understanding and fulfilling their obligations to provide access to vaccine-related programs, activities and services in a nondiscriminatory manner.
  • FEMA Disability Integration specialists and advisors are deployed to ensure the needs of people with disabilities are integrated in all facets of vaccine center operation.
  • The agency is also analyzing community demographics and coordinating translation and interpretation services.

Community Vaccination Center Pilot Partnerships

  • The sites FEMA is piloting in locations such as California, New York and Texas are selected based on data analysis including the CDC's Social Vulnerability Index and other Census data as well as input from our state and local partners.
    • Vaccines for these centers are provided to the states above and beyond the regular allocations. The additional vaccines are made possible through increases in production and availability.
    • We are working to do the most good, for the most vulnerable populations, with no impact to the current allocations of vaccines to the states.
  • Last week, FEMA, and the state of Texas announced the launch a pilot project to establish community vaccination sites in Dallas-Fort Worth and Houston. FEMA will provide resources, operational support and federal staffing support to establish these new centers. The centers are expected to be open to eligible members of the public beginning Feb. 24.

Vaccine Guidance

  • According to CDC, as of Feb. 15 more than 54.2 million vaccine doses have been administered. More than 70 million vaccine doses have been distributed to locations across the country.
  • CDC has released updated guidance on how people can make sure their mask works the best it can , such as wearing a cloth mask over a medical mask. The CDC worked with the Ad Council to produce public service announcements to encourage and normalize the consistent use of masks .
  • The CDC is hosting a virtual National Forum on COVID-19 Vaccines for representatives from state, local tribal and territorial leaders, healthcare practitioners and community, education, media and private sector leaders who are part of the vaccination efforts.
  • The Forum will convene people from across the country who are part of vaccination efforts to:
    • Advance the goals of the . .
    • Ensure information is exchanged about innovative strategies and?promising practices to?promote effective and equitable vaccine?administration.
    • Use data to drive vaccine implementation and respond to gaps.
    • Increase expertise and respond to states' and jurisdictions' needs for practical resources on how to best administer vaccine equitably, safely, and quickly to as many people as possible in communities across the country.
  • The CDC Vaccine Task Force and Data Analysis & Visualization Task Force launched the CDC COVID Data Tracker Vaccinations Trends page . This page includes the overall trends of vaccinations over time in the US and for the Federal Pharmacy Partnership for Long-Term Care Program.
  • Additionally, the CDC Vaccine Task Force is rolling out vaccine confidence consultations for interested jurisdictions. To request this service, interested jurisdictions can send an email to confidenceconsults@cdc.gov . CDC also has online tips for building vaccine confidence , and a Strategy to Reinforce Confidence in COVID-19 Vaccine
  • FEMA is working with the Ad Council to encourage hesitant or underrepresented people to get vaccinated . This research-driven public education campaign provides federal, non-profit and medical stakeholders with insights and communications strategies to tailor communications to reach diverse audiences.
  • The vaccine is not a perfect fix. Everyone should continue to practice other precautions like wearing a mask, social distancing, handwashing and other hygiene measures until public health officials say otherwise.

Additional FEMA Support

  • FEMA, through its National Response Coordination Center and 10 regional offices across the nation, is coordinating with other federal agencies to meet state, tribal and territorial needs as requested. Support includes expedited financial assistance, federal equipment and supplies, and deploying federal personnel to states, tribes, territories and other eligible applicants for vaccination efforts at a 100% cost share.
  • Additionally, FEMA will provide reimbursement to states, local, tribal and territorial governments and the District of Columbia for the use of their National Guard at a 100% cost share until Sept. 30.
  • On Feb. 2, President Biden directed FEMA to retroactively reimburse states for 100% of their costs for eligible emergency protective measures i ncluding masks, gloves, emergency feeding actions, sheltering at risk populations and mobilization of the National Guard .
  • President's directive also directs FEMA to expand the activities eligible for reimbursement for work conducted after Jan. 21, 2021 and until Sept. 30, 2021 . Reimbursement applies to eligible costs to support the safe opening and operation of eligible schools, child-care facilities, healthcare facilities, non-congregate shelters, domestic violence shelters, transit systems and other eligible applicants incurred after Jan. 21.  

Contact Us

If you have any questions, please contact Office of External Affairs:

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Also, follow Acting Administrator Bob Fenton on Twitter @FEMA_Fenton .

FEMA Mission

Helping people before, during, and after disasters.

Seeking Participants: FEMA Stakeholder Workshops
Individual and community preparedness newsletter, skyline


Seeking Participants: FEMA Stakeholder Workshops


Preparedness Colleague,

ICPD is hosting stakeholder workshops to help us prepare a Learning Agenda that identifies high-level questions that can guide our research for the next several years. Our first round of workshops were full of engaging discussions, innovating ideas and new connections. With that success, we want to increase the spaces available for our upcoming workshops. ICPD is extending the invitation and information below. Please take a moment to consider signing up or sharing with anyone you think may be interested in participating!

Workshop Information:  

This disaster preparedness Learning Agenda will help community members, emergency management practitioners, organizational and community leaders, and government officials build a culture of preparedness by identifying key questions and areas of interest. We are inviting stakeholders to share their expertise and insight into disaster preparedness, as well as to provide feedback on questions that ICPD has identified. Our goal is to identify the preparedness community's areas of interest, priority data points, gaps in understanding, and key questions. You can learn more about Learning Agendas here .

Specifically, we are looking for representatives who would be interested in participating in the sessions listed below. You do not need to have any knowledge of disasters or preparedness.

Sign up for a Workshop via this link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/XZ7PT76

All Workshops will take place from 12:30 pm ET to 3:30 pm ET (9:30-12:30 PT):

Capacity Building -- ICPD partners with communities to help them become resilient ahead of disasters to address the planning needed to start their recovery. Programs:  Ready Campus Ready Business, Building a Roadmap to Resilience: A Whole Community Training , and  OPEN Training .

  • Capacity Building: Friday, February 19, 2021

Citizen Responder -- ICPD educates volunteers about disaster preparedness for the hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills through in-person, and virtual trainings. Programs:  Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) and  You Are the Help Until Help Arrives .

  • Citizen Responder: Wednesday, February 24, 2021
  • Citizen Responder: Friday, February 26, 2021

Youth Preparedness -- Preparedness values are typically established at a young age. ICPD engages, educates, and empowers young people in preparedness activities. Programs:  Youth Preparedness Council Student Tools for Emergency Planning (STEP) Teen CERT Ready 2 Help , and  Prepare with Pedro .

  • Youth Preparedness: Wednesday, March 3, 2021
  • Youth Preparedness: Friday, March 5, 2021

Financial Resilience -- ICPD leads the Agency effort to increase the financial resilience of the public in advance of disasters through tools and promotion (e.g.,  Emergency Financial First Aid Kit (EFFAK)  and  National Financial Capability Month ). 

  • Financial Resilience: Wednesday, March 10, 2021
  • Financial Resilience: Friday, March 12, 2021

Please do not hesitate to reach out should you have any questions. Thank you in advance for your time!


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Disclaimer: The reader recognizes that the federal government provides links and informational data on various disaster preparedness resources and events and does not endorse any non-federal events, entities, organizations, services, or products. Please let us know about other events and services for individual and community preparedness that could be included in future newsletters by contacting - FEMA-prepare@fema.dhs.gov - TWITTER: @Readygov

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About FEMA

FEMA's mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

Follow FEMA online at www.fema.gov/blog, www.twitter.com/fema, www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema.

Social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

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