Smith applauds Fed grant to support NJ vaccination sites

Federal dollars flow from legislation he supported

WASHINGTON, DC – Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) applauded this week’s announcement that the federal government is sending $216,000,000 to New Jersey to reimburse the state for vaccination efforts against COVID-19.

“I greatly welcome this important federal reimbursement to assist New Jersey’s six mega sites in the distribution of vaccines,” said Congressman Smith.

“People across New Jersey are eager to move ahead and receive the vaccine,” Smith continued. “We must not let up, but instead redouble our efforts to ensure that the infrastructure is in place so that vaccines can be distributed as they are available—including 24 hours a day if necessary. I will do everything I can to ensure the federal government remains a robust partner in our state’s efforts to get this vaccine to the people who need it, as fast as possible,” he added.

Smith said the funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will help pay for medical supplies, containers for medical waste, transportation and proper storage of the vaccines, medical and support staff, and PPE among other onsite infection control and disinfection measures in accordance with CDC guidance.

This award represents roughly half of the amount FEMA is planning to reimburse to the State of New Jersey for running the mega sites through April 30.  

The State of New Jersey is distributing and administering COVID-19 vaccines to New Jersey residents primarily through the NJ Department of Health including at six mega sites across the state. The sites are in addition to dozens of other access points, such as hospitals, pharmacies and community-based vaccination sites run by multiple counties with state oversight.

The federal grant comes from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s FEMA disaster relief fund, which received $45 billion from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES) Act of 2020—legislation that Smith strongly supported.