More than a thousand “critical” Congressional staffers will be provided the coronavirus vaccine while senior citizens and first responders nationwide continue waiting for the dose, the New York Post reported.
The newspaper expressed “outrage” on its front page on Wednesday over the fact the staffers, who are mostly under the age of 35, were receiving the vaccine before most Americans, including those in more serious risk categories.
The information was disclosed in a memo sent out by Dr. Brian Monahan, the attending physician for Congress, who stated that vaccines will be available for two members of each congressperson’s staff, with the staffs of each committee chair and ranking member receiving an additional four, Politico reported.
“Employees who occupy positions determined to make them eligible for the vaccine under these standards will be and/or have been notified of their status separately and provided with logistical information regarding the process for scheduling an appointment for the vaccination,” the memo stated, adding that vaccines should go to staffers whose work is essential to the “continuity of operations.”
The vaccine had already been made available to members of Congress a few weeks ago, with the stated intent to protect continuity of government and national security interests.
Priority access to the vaccine for congressmen has become a divisive issue, with some lawmakers from both parties saying they would refuse the vaccine until front-line healthcare workers and seniors had adequate access.
Brian Freeman ✉
Brian Freeman, a Newsmax writer based in Israel, has more than three decades writing and editing about culture and politics for newspapers, online and television.
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