US President Joe Biden urged Americans on Tuesday to get vaccinated against the new variants of COVID-19, an “essential” step to “protect hundreds of lives” where, as he said, political positions do not fit, at the same time which announced a “new impetus” in the fight against the virus that will include greater access to vaccines and campaigns in Spanish for the Hispanic community.
“This is a new moment in the fight against COVID-19 for the country. Let’s put politics aside. It is about everyone’s health, about saving lives. We have already lost more than a million Americans to this cause,” Biden said, moments before receiving the vaccine booster, designed to combat the most recent variants of the virus.
Accompanied by the White House COVID-19 response team, including the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), Anthony Fauci, Biden addressed the country to insist on the need to get vaccinated for the holiday season at the end of the year, “when the virus can spread more easily”.
The president said he did not agree with members of the US Congress who oppose the financing of vaccines and treatments, and argued that this should be a “battle for everyone.”
Biden called not to repeat the history of other years, when the flu season, along with COVID-19, collapsed hospitals and other care centers in the nation. “This year is different, we have the tools. Almost every death will be preventable,” she emphasized.
“Some 20 million Americans have already been vaccinated. Now I am calling everyone to do it. Older versions will not give them maximum protection. (…) And while they are at it, also get vaccinated against the flu”, advised Biden, who warned that reinforcements or boosters against new variants of COVID-19 must be renewed every year.
The White House announced that an extensive network of pharmacies, clinics and markets will offer the reinforced vaccine. Coverage will be so broad that 95% of Americans will be able to find a place to get vaccinated within a five-mile radius. Vaccines, tests and treatments will be covered by health insurance, the US president said.
campaign in spanish
As part of the new strategy, the actions will include a communication campaign in Spanish, aimed at the Latino community and “high risk” sectors, including the elderly and immunosuppressed people.
According to official figures, from Biden’s arrival at the White House in 2021, deaths from COVID-19 have dropped by almost 90% and infections by 80%. Since the beginning of the year, the use of masks in public places is no longer mandatory.
However, experts warn of the unstudied effects that COVID-19 could have on human health in the long term.
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