Biden plans to release vaccines for all adults by May

March 12, 2021, 11:05 p.m.

Update: March 12, 2021, 11:06 p.m.

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Washington (dpa) US President Biden gives Americans cautious hope in the pandemic in an emotional speech. The vaccinations are going much faster than promised. Now there is a new date.

US President Joe Biden wants to lift the staggering according to vaccination groups in the corona pandemic and have vaccines released for all adults in the USA by May 1 at the latest.

In his first major televised address to the nation, Biden announced an order to that effect to the states. At the same time, the President urged Americans to get vaccinated. Everyone must do their part to stop the virus, he emphasized a year after the pandemic began. “This fight is far from over.”

Biden promised his compatriots to be able to celebrate in small groups again on the national holiday on July 4th. “After this long, tough year, this will make this Independence Day, on which we not only celebrate our independence as a nation, but also begin to celebrate our independence from this virus, something very special.” But the prerequisite is that people continue to adhere to the rules on infection protection, he warned. Scientists have made it clear that the situation could worsen again with the spread of new virus variants.

Biden stressed that making the vaccines available to all Americans does not mean that all adults will be vaccinated immediately on May 1. But he announced measures to simplify vaccinations. Among other things, a website is to go online by May showing vaccination options in the area. A toll-free phone number should also help. The number of pharmacies and health centers in which vaccinations are administered is expected to increase significantly. The number of soldiers in support of the vaccination campaign is to be increased by more than 4,000 to over 6,000.

Biden had promised that 100 million doses of vaccine would be administered in the first 100 days after he took office on January 20. Halfway through this time, the White House reported on Thursday that the 81 million can mark was exceeded. Biden announced that his goal would be achieved after 60 days in office – that would be the end of next week. There are now more than two million vaccinations a day, he said.

Around 330 million people live in the USA. According to the CDC health authority, almost one in four adults has now received at least one dose of vaccine. Just under 13 percent of adults and more than 30 percent of those who are 65 years of age or older are fully vaccinated. The Biden government recently announced that the US would order an additional 100 million vaccine doses from the manufacturer Johnson & Johnson.

Shortly before his address, Biden put a gigantic stimulus package against the corona crisis into effect by signing his “American rescue plan”. Only 50 days after taking office, the Democrat was able to implement his first major legislative project. The size of the stimulus package of around 1.9 trillion US dollars (around 1.6 trillion euros) corresponds to almost ten percent of annual US economic output. It is set to boost the economy, which has been hard hit by the pandemic, and create millions of new jobs.

The first Americans should find one-time direct payments of $ 1,400 in their accounts this weekend, as the White House promised. Larger tax breaks and further direct payments are also planned for families with children. There should also be financial aid for coronavirus tests, the vaccination campaign, school openings and additional support for the unemployed.

Biden’s televised address was characterized by empathy – a quality that was not ascribed to his predecessor Donald Trump. “We are connected by the loss and pain of days gone by,” said Biden, who expressed his deep condolences to the relatives of the pandemic victims. The Democrat did not mention Trump by name, but the following words are likely to have been applied to the Republican: “A year ago we were struck by a virus that was met with silence and which spread uncontrollably,” said Biden. “Denial for days, weeks, then months resulted in more deaths, more infections, more stress and more loneliness.”

Exactly a year before Biden, Trump addressed the nation in a speech about the corona crisis. At that time he announced an entry ban for foreigners from Europe, which is still in force today. Trump – who repeatedly belittled the danger posed by the corona virus – also claimed a year ago: “No nation is better prepared and more resilient than the United States.” At that time, Johns Hopkins University statistics recorded 1,100 coronavirus infections and 37 deaths in the United States. There are now almost 30 million confirmed infections and around 530,000 deaths.

According to a survey published by CNN on Thursday, 77 percent of Americans now believe that the worst phase of the corona crisis is behind them. There were also good values ​​for Biden: More than two thirds (67 percent) of the respondents trust that he will lead the country out of the crisis. Biden said on Thursday: “There is hope and light.” Before the Americans lay “after one of the most difficult and darkest periods in the history of this nation” now better days.

© dpa-infocom, dpa: 210312-99-788575 / 3

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