At least 90% American Adults will get Covid-19 Vaccine by 19th April 2021

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On Monday, President Biden announced that 90% of all American adults will be eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine by 19^th April 2021. It is about 2 weeks before the date he had previously set as the goal, the 1^st May. President Biden also warned Americans ‘Don’t let up now, during increasing COVID-19 infection rates. He called on governors who have lifted mask mandates to reinstate them. Biden said, “If we let our guard down now, we could still see the virus getting worse, not better. We’re giving up hard-fought, hard-won gains. As much as we’re doing, America, we have to be doing more”. He echoed comments from Dr. Rochelle Walensky. She warned earlier Monday that the steady rise in new coronavirus cases, hospitalizations, and deaths has left her with a sense of impending doom.

President Biden said, “We’re giving up hard-fought, hard-won gains, as much as we’re doing, America, it’s time to do even more. All of us have to do our part, every one of us”. He urged Americans not to let up on mitigation measures and implored governors and local officials to reinstate mask mandates to head off another surge. Biden said, “Please, this is not politics. Reinstate the mandate if you let it down. Our work is far from over. The war against COVID-19 is far from won. This is deadly serious”. But, he also touted the fact that 100 million vaccine doses had been administered well ahead of his original goal of 100 days. He has since doubled his goal to 200 million doses of the vaccine in his first 100 days.

More than 145 million vaccine doses have been administered so far, according to the CDC. President Biden said he is directing his COVID team to locate vaccination sites within 5 miles of 90% of all Americans to help more Americans access the vaccine. The White House is also expanding a plethora of pharmacies that can administer the vaccine. There will be 12 more federally run vaccination sites by 19^th April 2021. President Biden’s announcement came just after New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced the state would be opening up vaccine eligibility for all residents age 30 and over starting Tuesday and for all residents 16 and older on 16^th April. Most states have announced plans to meet or beat Biden’s target of making all adults eligible by 1^st May 2021.