Biden Makes More Announcements Regarding COVID Vaccine

President Biden announced on Wednesday that 200 million COVID-19 vaccinations have been received by adults since he took office, which was double his initial goal of 100 million vaccinations in his first 100 days. Another previous goal was that vaccinations would be available for 90 percent of US adults by April 19. Biden also announced on April 19 that all adults are eligible for a COVID vaccine. He marked it as “an incredible achievement for the nation.”

At Biden’s first press conference on March 25, he announced the new 200 million goal. On Jan. 25, Biden had increased his COVID-19 vaccination goal to 150 million shots in his first 100 days in office. He then backed off from that promise and restated his 100 million shots goal that he established in the days and weeks before entering office.

Biden also announced the availability of tax credits to employers who give their workers paid leave to get a COVID vaccine shot. “No working American should lose a single dollar from their paycheck because they are doing their patriotic duty to get vaccinated,” Biden said. Stating that as of Sunday, more than half of adult Americans have had at least one shot and that by Thursday, 80% of those over 65 will have had one.

As vaccine rollout increases and COVID deaths decrease workers and businesses will continue to reopen safely but until then access to the vaccine is essential for the well-being of everyone.