Biden announces ‘month of action’ vaccine effort including prizes and incentives

President Biden is hitting the gas on coronavirus vaccination with prizes and incentives in an effort to achieve his long-desired goal of declaring independence from COVID-19 on July 4 with 70% of the population having at least one dose.

“We need everyone across the country to pull together to get us over the finish line. I promise you we can do this,” Biden said in a press conference Wednesday.

Biden announced a vaccine “month of action” — a blitz to get shots in arms by offering up prizes, incentives and initiatives nationwide.

Vice President Kamala Harris will launch a national vaccination tour and mayors will compete to see which city can grow its vaccination rate the most by July 4.

Uber and Lyft will give free rides to and from vaccine sites, childcare providers such as the YMCA will provide free drop-in care while parents get vaccinated, and starting this weekend, canvassers will knock on doors to encourage people to get a shot, Biden said.

The NBA, NHL and NASCAR will offer vaccines outside games and races, and the MLB will give away free tickets to people vaccinated at the ballpark, according to Biden.

Biden even encouraged folks to get vaccinated and enjoy a beer, with Anheuser-Busch offering free beer to people who get the shot, until July 4.

Some companies, such as Kroger, are setting the bar even higher. Biden said the grocery chain is giving away $1 million each week to someone who gets a shot at one of their pharmacies.

“Americans are headed into the summer dramatically different from last year summer — a summer of freedom, summer of joy, summer of get-togethers and celebrations,” Biden said.

The White House is also working with the Black Coalition Against COVID to launch “shots at the shop,” where local barbershops and hair salons will provide vaccine information to customers, book appointments for them or even serve as a vaccination site.

“Barbershops, beauty shops are hubs of activity and information in black and brown communities particularly, and in many communities across the nation,” Biden said, adding that barbers and stylists are key advocates in the community.

Coronavirus vaccination rates across the country have increased as cases and deaths have declined significantly.

About 52% of adults are now fully vaccinated, according to Biden, and 63% of adults have gotten at least one dose.

“If you are unvaccinated, you are still at risk of getting seriously ill or dying or spreading disease to others,” Biden said.

He closed by saying, “Let’s go into the summer freer and safer. Let’s celebrate a truly historic Independence Day.”

from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/3vKWtJK