President Biden’s comprehensive, whole-of-government strategy to combat the COVID-19 pandemic includes making sure every person gets a COVID-19 vaccination and receives a booster shot when authorized and recommended.
FEMA will continue to offer unprecedented support to state, tribal, territorial, and local vaccination efforts for activities related to the administration of COVID-19 booster shots, when authorized and recommended.
FEMA has obligated more than $5.9 billion to support vaccination efforts of 391 organizations in 59 states, territories, and tribes. This funding has supported over 3,600 vaccination sites. Funding is not capped and will be provided to all eligible organizations performing eligible vaccination work. With over $34 billion available to FEMA, funding is not a barrier to quick, effective, and equitable vaccination efforts.
Under the direction of the Biden Administration, FEMA is funding 100% of eligible costs associated with COVID-19 response efforts through December 31, 2021, which includes funding for COVID-19 booster shots. The President also directed FEMA to fund 100% of eligible National Guard costs under Title 32 authorities for COVID response efforts, including the cost for COVID-19 booster shots, through December 31, 2021.
Who can request funding?
Vaccination funding is being provided under FEMA’s Public Assistance program and available to state, local, tribal, and territorial organizations. These organizations are encouraged to partner with private and public sector organizations to administer COVID-19 vaccinations. Funding is provided on a reimbursement basis and FEMA will expedite funding to ensure funding is not a barrier to quick, effective, and equitable vaccination efforts. To date, FEMA has expedited over $3.9 billion to support vaccination efforts.
What will funding support?
FEMA will fund vaccination activities including:
- Vaccination facilities, including community vaccination centers, mass vaccination sites, mobile vaccination capability, and necessary security and other services for sites.
- Medical and support staff to organize and administer vaccinations, including contracted and temporary hires and training personnel on vaccine distribution and administration.
- Equipment, supplies, and materials needed to safely store and administer the vaccine.
- Transportation support, including distribution and movement of vaccine and reasonable transportation to and from the vaccination sites.
- Communication efforts that keep the public informed, including public messaging campaigns, public service announcements, flyers, newspaper advertisements, websites, translation services, in-person community engagement, and call centers schedule or answer questions.
Is funding available for boosters?
Activities associated with providing boosters administered in accordance with U.S. Food and Drug Administration Emergency Use Authorizations are eligible for funding. Planning and communication activities to prepare for booster approvals are also eligible prior to authorization.
How is FEMA ensuring vaccination efforts are reaching all individuals?
Applicants seeking FEMA funding for vaccination efforts, including booster administration, are required to collect information on who is being vaccinated and provide FEMA a strategy on how they are ensuring equitable access to vaccinations. FEMA evaluates these strategies to ensure compliance with federal laws and executive orders to ensure all strategies are appropriately reaching all individuals, including people of color and others who have been historically underserved, marginalized, and adversely affected by persistent poverty and inequality.
FEMA also encourages applicants for Public Assistance funding to work with other community partners in communicating with and engaging the public to support full implementation of COVID-19 vaccinations. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services launched a COVID-19 public education campaign at COVID-19 Community Corps: wecandothis.hhs.gov. The public education campaign is a national initiative to increase public confidence in and uptake of COVID-19 vaccines, while reinforcing basic prevention measures such as mask wearing and social distancing.
Additional Resources
- Eligibility guidance for vaccination and other COVID-19 reimbursement under FEMA’s Public Assistance program is available on fema.gov.
- State, local, tribal and territorial governments can begin their application process to seek vaccination funding by visiting grantee.fema.gov.
Contact Us
If you have any questions, please contact FEMA Office of External Affairs:
- Congressional Affairs at (202) 646-4500 or at FEMA-Congressional-Affairs@fema.dhs.gov
- Intergovernmental Affairs at (202) 646-3444 or at FEMA-IGA@fema.dhs.gov
- Tribal Affairs at (202) 646-3444 or at FEMA-Tribal@fema.dhs.gov
- Private Sector Engagement at (202) 646-3444 or at nbeoc@max.gov
Follow Us
Follow FEMA on social media at: FEMA Blog on fema.gov, @FEMA or @FEMAEspanol on Twitter, FEMA or FEMA Espanol on Facebook, @FEMA on Instagram, and via FEMA YouTube channel.
Also, follow Administrator Deanne Criswell on Twitter @FEMA_Deanne.
FEMA Mission
Helping people before, during, and after disasters.