Biden sets plan for return to "normal"
Walk-in vaccination sites and shots at physician offices, more community health workers, added funding for rural hospitals aiming for 70% vaccinated by July 4
If communities reach 70% of adults vaccinated with at least one dose by July 4, public health measures such as mask mandates and restrictions on events can be “gradually pulled back” so that “we can get back to our normal lives,” said a senior administration official earlier today. Although the president’s goal is nationwide, the official emphasized that areas that loosen restrictions with fewer than 70% vaccination levels are likely to keep COVID-19 spreading.
In an afternoon speech, President Biden will announce new funding and other resources to help states get vaccines to more people, including those who want the vaccine but haven’t been able to get appointments and others who may have questions or skepticism about the COVID-19 vaccines. The emphasis now will be closer to one-on-one, grassroots contact instead of mass vaccination sites.
Currently, about 45% of adults have received at least one dose.
Through FEMA and other channels, vaccinations will be available at walk-in locations, pop-up and mobile clinics, and community outreach workers who can directly assist individuals wherever they are.
If the FDA grants an emergency use authorization for the Pfizer vaccine to be given to 12-15-year-olds, shots will be available “immediately” at many pharmacies and via physician offices.
Vaccine supplies may be shifted week to week from states that want fewer doses to states that want more. The shift was made because some states are accumulating many more vaccine doses than they are getting into arms.
More than $800 million will be available to rural health clinics and hospitals to expand COVID-19 testing and other efforts to respond better to COVID-19 in rural areas.
“Even with confidence, there are problems with access,” said White House spokesperson Jen Psaki. “We knew we would be at this point where it would be more difficult, and we prepared for that.”
The supply of Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines is sufficient to cover all of these, although supplies and demand have varied widely from state to state.
If or when the FDA authorizes giving the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to 12-15-year-olds, “We will be ready to go on Day 1 with pediatrician offices and thousands of pharmacies, so that we can vaccinate as many adolescents as possible,” said another senior administration official.