WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Joe Biden said Tuesday that states will be given a boost of approximately 17% in vaccines next week, adding that he hopes to have enough doses to fully vaccinate 300 million Americans by the end of the summer.
President Joe Biden said during a news briefing that his administration plans to order 200 million more doses of vaccines.
“First, after review of the current vaccine supply and manufacturing plants, I can announce that we will increase overall weekly vaccination distributions of states, tribes and territories from 8.6 million doses to a minimum of 10 million doses, starting next week,” Biden said. “That’s an increase of 1.4 million doses per week. ... You all know that vaccines were distributed to states based on population, based on population. The smaller the state, the less vaccine. The bigger the state, the more they get. And so this is going to allow millions of more Americans to get vaccinated sooner than previously anticipated.
“We’ve got a long way to go, though.”
New: the White House announces that it will boost vaccine shipments to 10m/week from 8.6m/week for three weeks (but doesn't say where the doses are coming from), and that it *plans to* order another 100m each of Pfizer and Moderna. Those doses are due over the summer. pic.twitter.com/q3po4pjFVZ
— Josh Wingrove (@josh_wingrove) January 26, 2021
Figures posted on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website Tuesday showed that the government plans to make about 10.1 million first and second doses available next week, The Associated Press reported. The figures represent doses of both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines.
Biden said that the 100 million doses of the vaccine is just a start.
“This is a wartime undertaking,” Biden said. “This is not hyperbole.”
The increase comes after complaints from governors and top health officials about inadequate supplies and the need for earlier and more accurate estimates about how much vaccine is on the way.
According to a fact sheet released by administration officials before Biden’s briefing, the administration will increase overall, weekly vaccine doses from 8.6 million to “a minimum” of 10 million doses. The fact sheet also noted that the administration will provide allocations estimates for the next three weeks.
“From this time forward we will ensure that (the states, territory and tribes) will have a three-week forecast,” Biden said.
By purchasing the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, Biden said he hoped to have enough doses to fully vaccinate 300 million people by the end of the summer.
“Keep the faith,” Biden added. “We’re going to get this done.”
More coronavirus pandemic coverage:
>> Coronavirus: CDC acknowledges airborne transmission of COVID-19
>> Is it COVID-19, flu, cold or allergies? What is causing you to feel sick this year
>> Coronavirus: CDC updates guidance for COVID-19 testing
>> Dangerous hand sanitizer list up to more than 150 products, FDA announces
>> Wash your masks: How to clean a cloth face covering
>> Fact check: Will masks lower the oxygen level, raise the carbon dioxide in your blood?
>> How to not let coronavirus pandemic fatigue set in, battle back if it does
Cox Media Group
