Sen. Somers Named to COVID-19 Vaccine Advisory Group

October 10, 2020

Sen. Heather Somers on Oct. 9 was appointed to serve on the Governor’s COVID-19 Vaccine Advisory Group.

The group will be responsible for advising the governor on preparations for a COVID-19 vaccine, including the optimization of a statewide vaccine distribution strategy, and communicating critical medical information about the vaccine with the state’s residents.

Somers, who is the ranking senator on the state legislature’s Public Health Committee, will serve on the panel’s Main Advisory Group as well as its Communications Subgroup.

“It is an honor to be appointed to this diverse panel – we have a lot of work ahead of us and we have key decisions to make,” said Somers. “We must make safety, transparency, clarity and equity our priorities. I am looking forward to serving.”

The group’s first meeting will be held in mid-October. It will put special focus on addressing existing health disparities and prioritizing vulnerable communities. Meetings will be open to the public.

Last year, Somers was named a “Champion of Elder Care” by the Connecticut Association of Health Care Facilities/Connecticut Center for Assisted Living in recognition of her “fierce, intelligent and outstanding leadership on behalf of Connecticut’s skilled nursing facilities and assisted living communities, their employees and especially the residents they care for.”

Somers represents the 18th Senate District which includes Griswold, Groton, North Stonington, Plainfield, Preston, Sterling, Stonington and Voluntown.