Biden wants 70% of American adults vaccinated by July Fourth
The Biden administration is working to make it more convenient for everyone to get a shot.
- I've been covering technology and mobile for 12 years, first as a telecommunications reporter and assistant editor at ZDNet in Australia, then as CNET's West Coast head of breaking news, and now in the Thought Leadership team.
President Joe Biden outlines his plans for getting more people in the US vaccinated.
President Joe Biden has announced a new goal for COVID-19 vaccinations: 70% of US adults having at least one shot by July Fourth, and 160 million Americans fully vaccinated by then. The pace of vaccinations has been slowing. Biden says the effort to get people vaccinated is moving into a new phase with a focus on three parts: children, convenience and hesitancy.
"Tens of thousands of Americans are alive today who otherwise wouldn't be had they not had access to a rapid vaccination program," Biden said in a Tuesday press conference at the White House.
Read more: COVID-19 herd immunity might not happen in the US, say experts
The first part will see kids aged 12 to 15 vaccinated once the FDA gives its approval. (The FDA could OK the Pfizer vaccine for such use by early next week.) Secondly, to make vaccinations more convenient, the Biden administration is launching vaccines.gov to help you find the nearest location. You can also text your ZIP code to 438829 and you'll get a text back telling you the nearest site. Biden added that the government will also be shipping more vaccines to rural areas.
To get "those who need more convincing" vaccinated, Biden announced plans to work with large grocery store chains to give customers discounts for getting vaccinated, and with major sports leagues for in-stadium vaccines, discounts on sports merchandise and ticket giveaways.