This week, Representative Mike Garcia (CA-25), Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy (CA-23), Representative Young Kim (CA-39) and eight other California lawmakers sent a letter to California Governor Gavin Newsom seeking answers to the state of California’s chaotic rollout of COVID-19 vaccine distribution. In the letter, the lawmakers demanded Governor Newsom provide answers on the questions regarding the number of unused COVID-19 vaccines. 

“With the remarkable success of the federal government’s Operation Warp Speed in producing safe and effective vaccines and therapeutics to aid in the fight against the coronavirus, the State’s vaccine distribution plan must be coherent, efficient, and transparent; otherwise we fear more Californians may die as the result of COVID,” the lawmakers wrote.

The letter highlighted data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that as of February 11th the State of California had received a total of 7.822 million vaccines but only 5.134 million of these vaccines have been administered. 

“The State of California should explain to Californians why the vaccine distribution has had such failures, despite having months to prepare prior to the development of the vaccines,” the lawmakers wrote. 

The lawmakers also asked for answers as to why counties and local health care providers are unable to receive better notice on the number of vaccines they will receive.

“While the State recently published vaccine allocations per county on its website, it is our understanding your Administration has not publicly disclosed its formulas that determine county vaccine allocations, which has made it incredibly difficult for local officials to develop and implement vaccination plans,” the lawmakers wrote.

Read the full letter here. 

The letter was signed by a total of 11 California lawmakers, including Representatives Mike Garcia (CA-25), Kevin McCarthy (CA-23), Young Kim (CA-39), Doug LaMalfa (CA-01), Tom McClintock (CA-04), Jay Obernolte (CA-08), David Valadao (CA-21), Devin Nunes (CA-22), Ken Calvert (CA-42), Michelle Steel (CA-48) and Darrell Issa (CA-50).

Earlier this year, Garcia introduced the Vaccinate More Americans Act, after concerning reports of vaccines in California and other states sitting in freezers rather than getting distributed to people in need. His bill would help ensure more Americans have access to safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines. To learn more about his efforts to combat COVID-19 click here.