Montana to Receive More Than $71 Million for Coronavirus Testing & Vaccine Distribution, Tester Announces

Senator secured critical funding in coronavirus relief package

U.S. Senator Jon Tester announced today that Montana will receive more than $71 million from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to combat COVID-19 through large-scale testing and vaccination efforts.

Tester secured the $61,517,133 for COVID-19 testing and $9,657,321 for vaccine distribution through the year-end bipartisan COVID-19 relief and stimulus package.

“Every step we take towards increased testing and effective vaccine distribution is another step towards combating the spread of COVID-19 and getting our economy back on track,” Tester said. “With the news this week that Montana has passed the grim milestone of more than 1,000 COVID-19 deaths, these critical resources are needed more now than ever to help get this virus under control once and for all, and get folks back to work.”

The funding will support testing, contract tracing, surveillance, containment, and mitigation efforts to monitor and suppress the spread of COVID-19 and is expected to arrive before January 19.

Tester has fought tirelessly to ensure Montana has the resources it needs to combat the coronavirus, and secured these funds as part of the compromise COVID-19 stimulus package he negotiated late last month.