Some Republican politicians
have been vocal in urging their constituents to get vaccinated. They've been more muted in Missouri, where Gov. Mike Parson (R) has described vaccination as a "personal responsibility" and said health-care leaders need to stop trying to "scare" people into taking vaccines. He also instructed the state health department
not to cooperate with the Biden administration on door-to-door vaccine outreach, even though local health authorities have been canvassing homes. Parson's office did not respond to a request for comment.
Towns, the acting health director, lamented that door-to-door outreach has joined the ranks of masks and vaccines as the latest routine public health practice lambasted by politicians. "It's just unfortunate they've been politicized, because we are trying to combat a silent killer while also making people trust us," she said.