Congressman Raul Ruiz Calls on Retail Pharmacies to Prioritize Health Equity in Vaccine Plans

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-36) is urging retail pharmacies to join the fight for health equity in COVID-19 vaccination. In a letter to the CVS Health CEO Larry Merlo, Dr. Ruiz called on the retail pharmacy to prioritize high-risk, underserved communities in its vaccine administration plans. Citing disproportionately low inoculation rates in underserved communities and among people of color, Dr. Ruiz also urged the company to disseminate important vaccine information and help patients overcome vaccine hesitancy.

"We have a moral responsibility to make sure that we do not leave people behind simply because they lack resources or live in certain zip codes," Dr. Ruiz wrote. "As you expand the number of CVS vaccination sites in Southern California in the coming weeks, I urge you to prioritize high-risk, underserved communities like those in California's 36th district. Not doing so will lead to further disparities and prolong the pandemic."

Rep. Ruiz's letter continues his advocacy for equitable vaccine distribution. For months, Rep. Ruiz – who is also an emergency medicine physician – has pushed for a national vaccine distribution plan that prioritizes health equity. In his home district, Rep. Ruiz has traveled to medically underserved farmworker communities in the Eastern Coachella Valley of California to encourage individuals to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

You can read the letter here.

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