On Thursday, Biden administered the administration of the 50 million dose of COVID-19 vaccine since its introduction. The moment came days after the country reached the devastating milestone of 500,000 coronavirus deaths and ahead of a meeting with the country’s regulators on plans to further accelerate their spread.
“The more people are vaccinated, the faster we are going to beat this pandemic,” Biden said at a White House reception, noting that his administration has the course exceeded its commitment to deliver 100 million views in its first 100 days in office.
“We’re halfway there: 50 million views in 37 days,” Biden said. “That’s weeks ahead of schedule.”
All said, more than 45 million Americans have been given at least one dose of the approved vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna since they received approval from the Food and Drug Administration in December, with more than 20 million receiving the two necessary doses.
As part of the ceremony, four front-line staff – a pair of emergency medical technicians, a school counselor and a grocery store employee – received vaccination doses on live television, part of the White House’s efforts to build confidence in the vaccination program. .
Biden noted that predicting that there will be enough vaccines by the end of the spring to give to anyone who wants them, but that delaying the vaccine will end the number of people who need it. “Our vaccine is waiting,” Biden said, noting that point could come within 60 to 90 days.
He pledged a “major campaign to educate people” about the safety and effectiveness of vaccines, hoping to stimulate demand as the country aims to vaccinate around 80% of adults to achieve and end herd protection the pandemic.
Biden said he planned to visit a U.S.-led vaccine site in Houston on Friday.
Biden noted the promise that a third vaccine would be approved as soon as this weekend, as Johnson & Johnson ‘s one – dose candidate is undergoing a review with the FDA.
“We have a plan to roll it out as soon as Johnson & Johnson can do it,” Biden said.
Still Biden warned that changes could spread, leading to more cases and hospitalization. He appealed to Americans to keep up with social pace measures and wear face cover.
“This is not the time to relax,” he said.
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