Gov. Larry Hogan penned a letter to President Biden on Monday urging that the federal government take four steps to combat the spread of the coronavirus, as the Delta variant ravages some parts of the country.
Hogan took to Twitter to tweet the four things he says that states “desperately need”:
First, make booster shots available immediately for seniors and vulnerable populations. Early data gathered by Maryland health officials indicates the potential for waning immunity among these groups well ahead of the 8-month mark.
— Governor Larry Hogan (@GovLarryHogan) August 23, 2021
Third, advance full FDA approval of all vaccines. We are heartened by today’s full approval of the Pfizer vaccine; however, full approval of the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines is vital to our efforts.
— Governor Larry Hogan (@GovLarryHogan) August 23, 2021
Inexact and changing guidance at the federal level has a real impact on states’ ability to do the frontline work of fighting this pandemic. Maryland is much better prepared than most states, but we need leadership at the federal level.
— Governor Larry Hogan (@GovLarryHogan) August 23, 2021
In the letter, Hogan thanked Biden for his leadership and touted Maryland’s vaccination rates. As of Aug. 22, Hogan wrote that the state vaccinated 80% of adults and almost 95% of its seniors.
Over the weekend, Hogan appeared on CBS Face the Nation, where he discussed how the state plans to help Afghan refugees and urged once more that the federal government make booster shots available to vulnerable populations.
Hogan said on he received his booster shot last Monday at the recommendation of his doctor (Hogan is a cancer survivor). He continued on CBS to urge the FDA to expedite the approval process of COVID-19 vaccines for children ages 5 to 11.
