President Biden Says Vaccine Will Soon be Available to 90 Percent of Public
90 percent of people will live within five miles of a vaccination clinic.
- By Shereen Hashem
- Mar 31, 2021
The Biden administration celebrated the rapid increase in vaccinations Monday against COVID-19. President Biden unveiled his new “90-90” plan, saying that 90 percent of U.S. adults will be eligible to get a COVID-19 shot by April 19th.
President Biden also says 90 percent of the nation will live within five miles of a vaccination clinic for easier access with his administration more than doubling the number of participating pharmacies. The pharmacies a part of the program will increase from the current 17,000 locations to 40,000, according to an article.
The president stresses the battle against the disease is far from over since cases continue to rise.
"Please. This is not politics," President Biden said. "Reinstate the mandate if you let it down." This statement comes as states lift requirements for masks and allow businesses to return to full capacity against the guidance of public health experts.
The CDC says both the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines are proven highly effective. At full vaccination, the vaccines were 90 percent effective at preventing the spread of the disease and 80 percent protective in the first dose alone, according to the agency’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. The CDC says this is the first of many vaccine studies.
This study, in particular, looked at how the vaccine protected around 4,000 healthcare workers and first responders, according to an article. The CDC tested volunteers regardless of their symptoms and kept up with them through text message, e-mail and medical reports. Volunteers also had a nasal swab once a week.
More than 62 percent of volunteers received both doses of either vaccine; more than 12 percent received one. More than 87 percent of COVID-19 cases exhibited symptoms. There were two hospitalizations and no deaths. These results are similar to what scientists saw in clinical trials for the vaccine.
As the vaccine is proven to be highly effective, President Biden made his promise for easy access loud and clear.
About the Author
Shereen Hashem is the Associate Content Editor for Occupational Health & Safety magazine.