Dear Fellow Vermonter:

Over the past couple of weeks, there has been a lot of discussion over the new coronavirus variant, Omicron. The new strain was labeled a “variant of concern” by the World Health Organization, and more information is coming out all the time. As we wait for scientists to give us more information, I want to make sure all Vermonters are aware of the vaccine and testing resources in our state. 

• Vaccinations: The FDA has authorized COVID-19 vaccination for children ages 5 to 11. Vermont parents and caregivers can register children for a Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine here: https://www.healthvermont.gov/KidsVaccine
• Boosters: The FDA has authorized COVID-19 vaccine booster shots for everyone 18 and older. The FDA has also recently authorized the Pfizer COVID-19 booster for 16 and 17 year-olds. Vermonters can register for a health department appointment or find locations offering the vaccine here: healthvermont.gov/MyVaccine 
• Testing: Vermont offers free COVID-19 tests throughout the state. You can find testing locations and register for an appointment here: https://www.healthvermont.gov/covid-19/testing/where-get-tested 

Remember, the best way to combat the threat of COVID-19, and to protect yourself from serious illness, is to get vaccinated. It is also important to continue to practice prevention measures, like wearing masks and maintaining social distance when possible. 

During recent weeks, our state of Vermont has reported record breaking numbers of hospitalizations and cases of COVID-19. Now is the time, not to despair, but to come together as a community, to do our best to get vaccinated, and to keep each other safe and in good health. 

To deny life-saving health care to communities around the world, particularly during a global health crisis, is unacceptable – just as it would be here at home.

It has been nearly a year since vaccinations began to roll out here in the U.S., and yet today too many of our neighbors around the world are still blocked from accessing life-saving vaccines. It’s time for our world leaders and the World Trade Organization (WTO) to step up. We must finally put people over profits and make coronavirus vaccine technologies available to all, regardless of where you were born or how much money you have. As we face the potential threat of a new coronavirus variant, we must move even more urgently to dismantle this vaccine inequality that undermines our ability to confront this crisis. 

Working with activists and colleagues in Congress, I have called on the Biden Administration and the WTO many times already this year to waive international intellectual property (IP) rules around the coronavirus vaccine in order to speed up the global vaccination effort, and make the world, the U.S., and Vermont safer. 

Read the letters I wrote with my fellow senators on this, urging the Biden Administration to take action. 
Read the November letter to President Biden here.
Read the April letter to President Biden here.

I think we can all agree, that to deny life-saving health care anytime, but particularly during a global health crisis, is unacceptable. This waiver would not only save lives, but protect against new variants that threaten the hard progress we have made. By now we know that our vaccination efforts will only be successful if vaccination progress is made simultaneously in the developing world. This is exactly the kind of leadership the world needs right now. 

For all of our safety, we cannot postpone or delay. 

While Vermont has done better than many other states in controlling the virus, we have been hit hard as well and we are experiencing rising cases. Let us continue to do our part to protect our friends, family, and neighbors. I encourage all of us to follow all CDC and Vermont Department of Health guidelines and continue to practice prevention measures. 

If you’d like to share your thoughts, or need assistance with a federal agency, do not hesitate to contact my office by phone at 802-862-0697 or 1-800-339-9834 or online here.