For Immediate Release
February 28, 2021

Contact:
Mike Shaffer, mshaffer@dccouncil.us

Statement of Councilmember Christina Henderson regarding vaccination registration

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Washington, D.C.—The following is a statement from At-Large Councilmember Christina Henderson regarding the District's vaccination registration:

"The failure of the District’s COVID-19 vaccination registration portal on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday of last week along with the inability of callers to connect with the call center for assistance were entirely unacceptable and avoidable events. As a member of the Committee on Health and the Committee on Government Operations, I have requested that both Chairpersons hold emergency oversight hearings with DC Health and the Office of the Chief Technology Officer for a thorough review of the events and decision-making that led to this government failure. I have also requested information from the Office of Contracting and Procurement regarding the contract for the registration portal.

"While the Council meets weekly with DC Health, the City Administrator, and DC’s Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency on the District’s COVID-19 response, it is clear that those conversations are not enough oversight for the proper implementation of the vaccination portal. The events of last week show that the Council needs to exercise greater oversight over the full breadth of issues facing our COVID-19 response. Furthermore, the public deserves on-the-record responses from Executive branch officials, a clear timeline for a new website, and assurances that the current website will not continue to fail in the interim. The District should make every effort to reduce anxiety surrounding the vaccine, including a swift and complete overhaul of the vaccination portal and assured reliability of the call center."

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