On February 2, 2021, the Indian Health Service (IHS) Acting Director sent a letter to Tribal Leaders and Urban Indian Organizations to announce the allocation decisions for $210 million in new resources transferred from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to the IHS. The funds are to support COVID-19 vaccine-related activities in American Indian and Alaska Native communities. They were authorized by the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, signed into law on December 27, 2020. These funds are one-time, non-recurring, and can only be used for the purposes specified in the statute.
Of the $210 million transferred from the CDC to the IHS for vaccine-related activities,
- $190 million to IHS Federal health programs and Tribal Health Programs (THPs), using existing distribution methodologies for program increases in Hospitals and Health Clinics, Purchased/Referred Care, Community Health Representatives, and Public Health Nursing. All THPs will receive these one-time, non-recurring funds through unilateral modifications and/or amendments to their existing ISDEAA agreements.
- $10 million to support Urban Indian Organizations.
- $10 million for additional public health support activities, including additional resources for Tribal Epidemiology Centers, the development and production of culturally appropriate education materials, partnerships with national AI/AN organizations and academic institutions, and other critical support activities.
Read the full letter.