Secretary for Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra appealed to Kentuckians to get vaccinated against COVID-19 on Tuesday. Speaking at a health policy forum hosted by the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky, Becerra urged people to save lives by wearing masks and getting vaccinated.
“Now, I shouldn't have to repeat this, but I will. The vaccines we have are safe. They are highly effective,” Becerra said. “More than 200 million Americans are alive today to tell you that they've had at least one shot. ”
The Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky released a recent vaccination poll that found 20% of Kentuckians surveyed are hesitant to receive the vaccine.
Becerra discussed the consequences of disinformation about the vaccine.
“More than 660,000 Americans have died from COVID-19. And because some flat earthers, especially those in places of influence, choose to peddle fiction, we're losing more of our loved ones today than we were a few months ago.
Secretary Becerra said Kentuckians need to wear masks and get vaccinated against COVID-19 to help save lives and spare the state’s health care system.
Becerra said Kentucky hospitals have been operating beyond capacity and have needed federal resources to keep going.
“Our office of preparedness and response has deployed a 15-person team from the National Disaster Medical system to St. Claire Regional Medical Center in Morehead, Kentucky,” Becerra said. “You'll find them working shoulder-to-shoulder right now with your healthcare heroes in real time as we speak.”
