July 22, 2021

Dear Friends,

This morning, the GOP Doctors Caucus joined by House Republican Whip Steve Scalise and House Republican Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik held a press conference concerning the emergence of the COVID-19 DELTA variant, the need for more individuals to receive the vaccine, and the continued urgency to understand the origins of this virus.

National Update:

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Advisory Panel on Vaccine Practices met to discuss the risk of Guillain-Barré syndrome following the administration of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine. CDC determined that the benefits of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine outweigh the potential risks. Patients with a history of Guillain-Barré syndrome are advised to consider mRNA COVID-19 vaccines instead.

• CDC and Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health published the Minority Health Social Vulnerability Index (SVI). Learn more about the development of the SVIhere.
• CDC created a webpage dedicated to COVID-19 Vaccine Equity for Racial and Ethnic Minority Groups.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) renewed the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency declaration for 90 days, effective on July 20, 2021.

• HHS will invest over $1.6 billion towards COVID-19 testing in vulnerable communities, such as homeless shelters and prisons.

The Health Resources and Services Administration released three Notice of Funding Opportunities totaling $103 million to address burnout and mental health for health care providers.

Pfizer and BioNTech partnered with South African manufacturer, Biovac, to manufacture the COVID-19 vaccine.

Until next time, this is your doctor's note.

Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D.