The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has called on the Pentagon to support President Biden’s goal of vaccinating 100 million people against coronavirus in his first 100 days in office, a Defense Department (DOD) spokesman said Thursday.
“The Department of Defense has received a request from FEMA for assistance in administering the COVID-19 vaccine in various locations across the country. The department is evaluating the request and what kind of support it can provide, “Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby said in a statement.
Kirby said that given the significance of the request, “it will be reviewed urgently but carefully” to determine what military assets can be made available to help safely.
“As [Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin
Lloyd AustinOvernight Defense: Biden administration pausing UAE, Saudi arms sales | Pentagon making climate change national security priority | VA secretary nominee sails through hearing Pentagon declares climate change a ‘national security issue’ Senate GOP slow walking Biden’s pick to lead DHS MORE] said, DOD is committed to doing as much as possible to help the entire government’s effort against COVID-19. ”
CNN was the first to report talks between the Pentagon and the FEMA Department of Homeland Security on how the military can help the agency.
Possible solutions include sending up to 10,000 active and national guard forces to the so-called vaccination megahubs.
President Biden has an ambitious goal for the United States to vaccinate 1.5 million people a day in the coming weeks, he said Monday.
“It will be a logistical challenge that goes beyond anything we have ever tried in this country, but I think we can do that,” Biden said at a news conference.
But the White House met expectations, with a press secretary Jen Psaki
Jen PsakiOvernight Health: Councilor Biden makes more pessimistic predictions about vaccine launch | CDC says coronavirus could kill up to 514K by Feb. 20 Vaccine research funds have been misused for decades, the watchdog says McCaul is urging senators to block the Commerce Secretary’s vote on Huawei’s concerns, the White House continues to work hard for COVID-19 aid talks MORE on Tuesday, clarifying that Biden was only optimistic and did not set a concrete goal.
Andy Slavitt, White House counselor COVID-19, said Wednesday that it will be “Monday” until all Americans who want a coronavirus vaccine can get one.