Governor Laura Kelly Launches First COVID-19 Vaccine Equity Taskforce Meeting

Press Release

Governor Laura Kelly kicked off the first COVID-19 Vaccine Equity Taskforce meeting on Wednesday to promote equitable vaccine distribution in vulnerable communities across Kansas. By engaging leaders across diverse organizations -- including physicians, nurses, community organizers, faith leaders, and researchers -- state and local public health can promote the importance of working together to vaccinate Kansans at highest risk for COVID-19.

"Disparities in COVID-19 vaccination rates are an urgent issue that must be addressed in Kansas," Governor Laura Kelly said. "It's an issue that affects communities large and small -- urban and rural. The quicker we can get all Kansans vaccinated -- the quicker we can get back to school, back to work and back to normal."

The group is tasked with breaking down barriers about vaccinations, such as access, transportation, language barriers, or misinformation; and providing information and messages that resonate with Kansans who have questions about the vaccine.

The Kelly administration has been developing solutions to improve vaccination rates at high risk for COVID-19 -- such as those working in the meat packing industry -- as well as in socially vulnerable Hispanic, Black, and Native American communities. In collaboration with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, this effort is spearheaded by Dr. Marci Nielsen, Chief Adviser to the Governor for COVID-19 Coordination and Dr. Ximena Garcia, Special Adviser to the Governor for COVID-19 Vaccination Equity.

The launch of the Vaccine Equity Taskforce serves as another step toward vaccine equity.

Dr. Ximena Garcia will lead the equity Taskforce. To find the video of the first meeting please click here.

The Taskforce is comprised of the following individuals:

Allison DeGroff -- Kansas HealthCare Collaborative
Andrea Perdomo-Morales -- Vibrant Health
Annette Graham -- Central Plains Area Agency on Aging
Broderick Crawford -- NBC Community Development Corporation
Camille Childers -- Wichita State University
Chris Howell -- Office of Native American Affairs
Dan Leong -- Immunize Kansas Coalition
Connie Satzler -- Immunize Kansas Coalition
David Jordan -- United Methodists Health Ministry Fund
Dorothy Hughes -- University of Kansas School of Medicine
Allen Greiner -- Wyandotte County Health Officer
Shalaunda K. Gray -- Interhab
Ed O'Malley -- The Kansas Leadership Center
Edith Gaines -- Shawnee County Health Department
Erica Andrade -- El Centro
Jennifer Sutherlin -- MARC
Joan Duwve -- KDHE
John Carney -- Center for Practical Bioethics
Judy Bellome -- AARP
Kelly Sommers -- Kansas State Nurse Association
Kenya Cox -- Kansas African American Affairs Commission
Kristi Zukovich -- Kansas Health Foundation
Kristina Simmons -- Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation Physician
Mang Sonna -- Bethel Neighborhood Center
Mariana Ramirez -- Juntos Center for Advancing Latino Health
Martha Gabehart -- Kansas Commission on Disability Concerns
Nicole Garner -- Unified Government Public Health Department
Paul Kruz -- Wichita Police Department
Rachel Monger -- LeadingAge Kansas
Tony Carter -- Salem Missionary Baptist Church
Shannon Olsen -- Kansas Office of Refugees
Tarah Remington -- AAFP
Virgil Watson Jr. -- South Kansas Medical Center
Audé Negrete -- Kansas Hispanic-Latino American Affairs Commission
Bruce Chladny -- Kansas Association of Counties
Chad Austin -- Kansas Hospital Association
Melissa Rooker -- Children's Cabinet and Trust Fund
Aaron Dunkel -- Kansas Pharmacists Association
Alice Weingartner -- Community Care Network of Kansas
Ernestor De La Rosa -- Kansas Governor's Commission on Racial Equity & Justice
Brad Neuenswander -- Kansas Department of Education
Janis DeBoer -- KDADS
Jerry Jones -- Blue Cross Blue Shield of KC
Kate Watson -- Kansas Statewide Homeless Coalition
Michelle Ponce -- Association of Community Mental Health Center
Rachelle Colombo -- Kansas Medical Society

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