S.T.O.P. Calls On CDC To Improve ‘V-Safe’ Vaccine Safety Tool That Excludes 85 Million Americans

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View this email in your browser For Immediate Release S.T.O.P. Calls On CDC To Improve ‘V-Safe’ Vaccine Safety Tool That Excludes 85 Million Americans V-Safe has drawn scrutiny for failing to serve the 85 million Americans without access to smartphones or who have limited English proficiency. (New York, NY, 3/16/2021) - Today, the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project (S.T.O.P.), a New York-based privacy group, called on the CDC to improve accessibility for its V-Safe COVID-19 vaccine tracking tool, ending the platform’s digital segregation. The V-Safe smartphone tool monitors patients’ response to COVID-19 vaccines, including side-effects and long-term efficacy, as well as reminding users to receive their second vaccine injection when applicable. V-Safe has drawn scrutiny for failing to serve the up to 85 million Americans without access to smartphones or who have limited English proficiency. SEE: The Verge - COVID-19 vaccine monitoring program limited to English speakers https://www.theverge.com/2020/12/17/22187543/covid-coronavirus-vaccine-vsafe-cdc-language-safety-data   Fast Company - The CDC’s program to track vaccine effectiveness over time leaves out 60 million Americans https://www.fastcompany.com/90614789/cdc-v-safe-vaccine-program-inaccessible-smartphone   “As we rush to vaccinate the country and save lives, we need public health infrastructure that serves all Americans,” said Surveillance Technology Oversight Project Executive Director Albert Fox Cahn. “When we exclude millions from our health tech systems, it risks widening inequality and promoting digital segregation. If the CDC had wanted, they could have easily used a combination of SMS registration and desktop computer access to reach almost the entire country. And there is no justification for excluding English language learners, especially with immigrant communities bearing the brunt of this pandemic.”   “The CDC is fumbling an excellent opportunity to make this tool really work," said Surveillance Technology Oversight Project Communications Associate William Owen. "At this critical juncture during the pandemic and amidst the rise of new virus variants, truly representative data is more important than ever to continue flattening the curve, That means making V-Safe accessible to the 85-million Americans whose experiences of the vaccine, or even possible reinfection down the line, are being left unheard.” V-Safe communicates with users entirely through SMS, but it still requires a smartphone for initial registration. The civil rights group noted that if the CDC took the modest step of allowing cellphone users to register via SMS and desktop computer, it would address many of its accessibility concerns it raised.   SEE: CDC – V-Safe After Vaccination Health Checker https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/safety/vsafe.html Pew Research Center – Mobile Fact Sheet https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/fact-sheet/mobile/   The Surveillance Technology Oversight Project is a non-profit advocacy organization and legal services provider hosted by the Urban Justice Center. S.T.O.P. litigates and advocates for privacy, fighting excessive local and state-level surveillance. Our work highlights the discriminatory impact of surveillance on Muslim Americans, immigrants, and communities of color.   -- END -- CONTACT: S.T.O.P. Executive Director Albert Fox Cahn; albert@stopspying.org.   Copyright © 2019 Surveillance Technology Oversight Project, All rights reserved. Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.