“Building Vaccine Confidence: Our Shot at Curbing the Pandemic in Chicago and Beyond”

On Wednesday, November 10, 2021, at 1:00 p.m. C.T./2:00 p.m. E.T., the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis, with Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi presiding, will hold an in-person field hearing in Chicago on the urgent need to build vaccine confidence and increase vaccinations in the city of Chicago, the state of Illinois, and across the country.

Coronavirus vaccines have been proven to be safe and effective.  While more than 192 million people nationwide, including 7.6 million in Illinois and 1.6 million in Chicago, have been fully vaccinated, vaccine hesitancy remains a persistent challenge in the fight to overcome the coronavirus pandemic.  Far too many Americans remain unvaccinated, resulting in far too many preventable hospitalizations and deaths.

Using federal funding provided by the American Rescue Plan and other legislation, the Biden Administration and state and local officials across the country—including Chicago Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot—have worked hard to get millions of Americans vaccinated in record time.  Dedicated efforts to increase vaccine confidence and encourage vaccine uptake will be necessary to build on the progress made to date, including working with trusted community leaders to overcome hesitancy, particularly in underrepresented communities disproportionately impacted by the pandemic.

During the hearing, government officials, community leaders, experts, and vaccine advocates will discuss ways to increase vaccine confidence and uptake.  Media must RSVP to attend.