Reps. Fenton-Fung and Casimiro Urge RIDOH to Offer Vaccinations to Caregivers of Chemo Patients

Reps. Fenton-Fung and Casimiro Urge RIDOH to Offer Vaccinations to Caregivers of Chemo Patients

State Representatives Barbara Ann Fenton-Fung (R-Dist. 15, Cranston) and Rep. Julie A. Casimiro (D-Dist. 31, North Kingstown, Exeter) are calling upon the RI Department of Health to revisit their current operations plan and immediately allow up to 2 parents / legal guardians of a child undergoing chemotherapy and 1 caregiver of an adult undergoing chemotherapy to be eligible for vaccination. 

“We know those fighting cancer need to have their focus solely on winning that battle. As state policy drivers we need to be there for them, and it is our responsibility to help make adjustments when necessary,” said the representatives in a statement.

According to the two representatives, “As Rhode Island's vaccination roll out evolves, it has come to light that parents of children undergoing chemotherapy, and caregivers of adults undergoing similar cancer treatments are unable to get prioritization for the COVID-19 vaccine. This places them between a rock and a hard place in that they need to be there physically caring for their loved ones, yet their sheer presence may infect a patient without the immune capabilities to fight this potentially fatal virus.”

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Fenton-Fung and Casimiro said they appreciate the Department of Health's timely consideration of these adjustments to the statewide vaccination plan in light of this new scientific data. A formal resolution will be introduced in the House next week upon return from recess.

Previously, the Department of Health has said that there was no evidence to show that vaccinating caregivers would prevent the transmission of the disease from caregiver to patient. However, researchers from UCLA and several Israeli health institutes published new findings just last week that provided the initial scientific evidence that vaccination leads to reduced viral shedding and therefore transmission.