Menendez & Booker Announce $107 Million to Boost Vaccine Distribution in NJ

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker have announced $107,827,965 in federal funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to boost the New Jersey Department of Health’s (NJDOH) vaccine distribution efforts.

“This funding will help ensure vaccines are distributed far and wide across New Jersey,” said Senator Menendez. “As more New Jerseyans receive their vaccines, the closer we come to fully and safely reopening our schools, restaurants and businesses. The end of the pandemic is in sight but we can’t let up our efforts yet – we must continue wearing masks and social distancing. And I encourage everyone to sign up for a vaccine appointment as soon as they are eligible.”

“While we have made headway in the battle against the coronavirus pandemic, we must remain vigilant in our response to this crisis,” said Senator Booker. “This federal funding is critical to ensuring our state can distribute the vaccine efficiently in order to protect the health and safety of all New Jerseyans.”

Last month, Sen. Menendez, who led a years-long effort to reform how FEMA responds to disasters, announced that the agency answered his call to eliminate the cost-sharing requirements for disaster grants. The directive issued by President Biden allows states and local governments to be retroactively reimbursed at 100% for eligible expenses to combat COVID-19 incurred since Jan. 2020, and to apply for full reimbursement for additional eligible expenses going forward.