Oakland, CA –– Congresswoman Barbara lee (CA-13) issued the following statement today regarding the opening of a community vaccination site in the parking lot of the Oakland Coliseum:
“I applaud this critical investment by the federal government and the state of California to help communities like ours that have been hardest hit by the pandemic.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately infected, hospitalized and killed Black Americans, and the East Oakland community is no exception. In Alameda County, the death rate for African Americans is almost twice the rate for the overall population.
“Opening this vaccination site in Oakland is a critical step towards equity for underserved communities. I encourage everyone to take advantage of this resource and get vaccinated to protect ourselves, our families and our entire community.”
The site is expected to open on Feb. 16, and registration for vaccine appointments will be available through the state’s MyTurn scheduling system.
From The Office Of Congresswoman Barbara Lee
Congresswoman Lee is a member of the House Appropriations Committee and Chair of the subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations. She serves as Co-Chair of the Steering & Policy Committee, former Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, Chair Emeritus of the Progressive Caucus, Co-Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus Health Task Force, and Co-Chair of the Pro-Choice Caucus. She also serves as Chair of the Majority Leader’s Task Force on Poverty and Opportunity. As a member of the House Democratic Leadership, she is the highest ranking African American woman in the U.S. Congress.