Lopez Introduces Bill to Create COVID-19 Vaccine Outreach Commission

(TRENTON) – With the goal to accelerate and boost New Jersey’s pandemic recovery by vaccinating as many residents as possible against COVID-19, Assemblywoman Yvonne Lopez (D-Middlesex) has introduced legislation to establish the New Jersey COVID-19 Outreach Commission.

The 27-member commission would be tasked with developing, recommending, and assisting in the administration of a COVID-19 vaccine outreach strategy to encourage New Jerseyans to get vaccinated. This includes developing State agency initiatives, school-based outreach programs, nonprofit partnerships, multi-lingual and multi-cultural media campaigns across a variety of platforms, and ensuring the inclusion of populations with historically low vaccination rates in outreach efforts.

“The COVID-19 vaccines are safe, effective, free, and now widely available to all. It’s imperative that every New Jerseyan understands the importance of getting vaccinated so that we may reach our next normal,” said Lopez. “The end of this pandemic is on the horizon. Now it’s time for us to come together and take advantage of these highly effective vaccines to protect ourselves and each other.”

The commission would coordinate the vaccine outreach strategy with the New Jersey Secretary of State as well as local and State government partners.

The group would submit a final report to the Governor and Legislature no later than June 30, 2021, specifying its recommended COVID-19 vaccine outreach strategy.

The measure now goes to the Assembly Speaker for further review.