Covid-19 vaccination status system developed 1:04
(CNN) ––
US President Joe Biden announced Monday that 90% of adults will be eligible to receive a coronavirus vaccine in the next three weeks.
He also pointed out that they will have a vaccination site 8 kilometers from where they live.
«The great, great, majority of adults, will not have to wait until May 1.
They will be eligible for their vaccine on April 19, "anticipated Biden.
Previously, the president had directed states to extend eligibility to all adults no later than May 1.
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The president also said that the US would increase the number of pharmacies that participate in the federal vaccination program.
The measure, according to Biden, would allow going from the current 17,000 locations to 40,000.
It also announced that a record 33 million doses of covid-19 vaccines will be available for vaccination sites this week.
An increase in availability, which the government hopes will lead to additional eligible adults being able to find vaccines.
However, Biden stressed that the country's battle against COVID-19 is "far from being won", as cases are increasing again.
In that sense, he asked all governors, mayors and local leaders to maintain, and in some cases reestablish, the mandatory use of masks.
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"Please.
This is not politics, "said the president.
"Restore mandatory use if you suspended it."
Biden Announces New Federal Vaccine Sites
His plea comes as some states have eliminated mask-wearing requirements and allowed companies to return to full capacity.
This is against the guidance of public health experts.
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“We are giving up what we have earned with great effort.
And, as much as we are doing, America, it is time to do even more, "Biden warned.
"We all have to do our part," he insisted.
Biden said that in the next three weeks his administration will have 12 additional mass vaccination sites run by the federal government.
Andy Slavitt, the White House's senior covid-19 response adviser, indicated early Monday that two new sites would open in Gary, Indiana and St. Louis.
The administration will also establish a new transportation program, in partnership with community organizations.
The initiative seeks to ensure that older people at risk and people with disabilities can access vaccines.
Florida will allow all people over 18 years of age to receive covid-19 vaccines starting April 5
Bloomberg News initially reported the news about vaccination eligibility for American adults.
Vaccination and concerns increase
Last week, Biden introduced a new goal in coronavirus vaccination: administer 200 million doses during his first 100 days in office.
The president reached his initial goal ––100 million doses administered during his first 100 days in office–– on the 58th day of his presidency.
Biden indicated on March 11 that he would order states to open vaccine eligibility for all American adults before May 1.
Monday's announcement came hours after administration officials in charge of the federal response to COVID-19 expressed concern about the current trajectory of cases in the country.
Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, for its acronym in English), noted that the US surpassed 30 million cases of covid-19.
In a virtual briefing at the White House, he added that he had a sense of "impending doom."
And he emphasized: "Right now, I am afraid."
Now is one of those moments when I have to share the truth.
And I have to wait and trust that they will listen to me.
I'm going to pause here.
I'm going to step away from the script and reflect on the recurring feeling I have of impending doom, "Walensky said.
The official also mentioned that she will speak with governors on Tuesday to "take action" on states that are reopening too quickly.
CNN's Jacqueline Howard contributed to this report.
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