Washington – President Biden announced on Tuesday that the adult eligibility deadline Covid-19 Vaccines nationwide to April 19. Mr. Biden had previously called for states and territories to make all adults eligible for shots by May 1.
As of Tuesday, 36 states have opened the right to vaccinations for people 16 and older, while 12 others and the District of Columbia will do so by April 19. In other words, most states were already on track to emulate the new president. April 19 deadline before announcing it.
It’s unclear how shifting a president-set deadline actually changes the distribution of the vaccines or how quickly they’re injected into Americans’ arms. It was also not immediately clear on Tuesday whether the new, earlier deadline also indicates that the vaccine supply will arrive faster or whether there are new plans to vaccinate Americans who are waiting for their injections more quickly.
Several states and major metropolitan areas, including Washington, are struggling to meet the high demand for shots, forcing current eligible residents to rush to find vaccine options in neighboring Maryland or Virginia.
Mr. Biden said it would happen last month sufficient supply to vaccinate every American at the end of May.
The announcement comes as vaccinations continue at a remarkable pace, even as COVID-19 infection rates rise again in several states. The president warned that variants are spreading and that cases are increasing in some places.
“Let me explain in one word: time. Time. Even if we’re moving at the record speed at which we’re moving, we’re not even halfway through vaccinating over 300 million Americans. This will take time,” he said. .
Mr. Biden urged people to remain cautious, practice social aloofness and mask themselves.
“We are still in a race to the death with this virus,” he said.
He also pleaded with seniors in particular to get vaccinated and urged young people to encourage family members and neighbors. At least 80% of COVID-19 deaths in the US are among seniors.
The US has passed 150 million shots on Monday, the president also announced. He’s set a target of 200 million shots in his first 100 days. More than 75% of people over 65 have received at least one injection, he said. He also said that by the end of March, about 80% of teachers and childcare workers had received at least one injection. The president’s goal was to have all teachers receive at least one injection by the end of March.
Earlier Tuesday, the president visited a vaccination clinic at a seminary in Alexandria, Virginia.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said on Monday that more than 167 million vaccinations have been given since injections began late last year. Nearly 1 in 3 Americans, 32.4%, has had at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose to date, the CDC said.