CONCORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE – Yesterday, members of House Republican leadership released statements criticizing the concept of community outreach to increase awareness and access to the COVID-19 vaccine. The same day, the New Hampshire Department of Public Health announced the launch of the NH Mobile Vaccine Van, a new initiative to increase access to COVID-19 vaccines in New Hampshire which is available upon request for groups of all sizes. House Democratic Leader Renny Cushing (D-Hampton) released the following statement:
“It is disappointing to see Speaker Packard and Majority Leader Osborne try to score cheap political points to the detriment of public health, and particularly brazen just weeks after passing a state budget requiring an invasive vaginal ultrasound for Granite Staters seeking abortion care.
Community outreach is an important way to help people access the COVID-19 vaccine. In New Hampshire cities, public health officials are already visiting apartment buildings to provide vaccine information and access to people without transportation or internet access. Just yesterday, the NH Department of Public Health announced the NH Mobile Vaccine Van, which will travel to block parties and other community events and is available upon request at vaccines.nh.gov. Instead of helping to promote access to a vaccine that will protect our families and communities, House Republican leadership has instead chosen to spread fear and misinformation.”
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