Biden Administration Pushes To Vaccinate All Americans Against COVID-19
Ashley Burt, an employee in the Jefferson County School District, received her dose of a COVID-19 vaccine at UAB.
The three COVID-19 vaccines authorized for emergency use in the U.S. are safe and effective is the message from President Biden to encourage more people to take the vaccine.
“It’s just essential that everyone gets connected with vaccination,” said Dr. Marcella Nunez-Smith, senior advisor for the president’s COVID-19 response team. “That’s how we’re going to get to our new normal. That’s how we’re going to be able to reopen schools … reunite with our families, reopen our businesses, get our economy going again, and to be able to gather together.”
Clinics and hospitals in Alabama have administered the two-shot vaccines from drug companies Pfizer and Moderna since December. The distribution of a one-shot vaccine developed by Johnson & Johnson began this month.
Alabama has been consistently near the bottom among states for vaccines administered per capita.
The Alabama Department of Public Health reported more than 1.3 million doses have been given indicating nearly 17% of residents have received at least one shot. The number of people completing a vaccination course was not available as of Thursday, March 18.
“The reality is people you know have been vaccinated,” Nunez-Smith said.
She said there will be enough supply for every American who wants a shot by the end of May. Officials are working to reduce barriers to vaccinations in both federal programs and state efforts. That includes placing clinics closer to where people live. Work is also underway on a White House-backed website and an 800 number to locate vaccination sites.
“We’ve made sure the vaccination is free of charge, no out of pocket cost for anyone. We’re making sure that vaccination venues are convenient,” Nunez-Smith said.
A recent NPR/PBS Newshour/Marist poll found a majority of adults want to be vaccinated. Some have suggested vaccine hesitancy has kept some Blacks from taking the shot because of historic mistreatment and discrimination by the medical system. But this poll showed Blacks most eager for a vaccine with only 25% saying they didn’t want one.
In fact, the poll found 49% of Republican men and 47% of Trump supporters, of which there are many in Alabama, would not take a vaccine. Nunez-Smith said the administration is trying to find trusted voices that can reach all groups.
“We know that we need every single American to get vaccinated and there is so much promise and hope on the other side of that.”
Top Instagram reels from Goats and Soda in 2025: Plumpy’Nut, aid cuts, soccer grannies
Our most-viewed Instagram videos include reports from a Rhode Island factory that makes special food for malnourished children and from a tournament for soccer-playing "grannies."
‘The Rest of Our Lives’ takes readers on a midlife crisis road trip
America's literary highways may be plenty crowded with middle-aged runaways fleeing lives that increasingly feel like a bad fit. But Ben Markovits adds a moving tale to the collection.
Hunker down with these 13 mysteries and thrillers from 2025
Mysteries and thrillers are enjoyable no matter the season, but there's something extra satisfying about curling up in the winter with a warm drink and an all-engrossing read. Here's what we suggest.
Should the U.S. model its vaccine policy on Denmark’s? Experts say we’re nothing alike
The Trump administration wants to revamp U.S. childhood vaccination recommendations to align with some other peer nations, including one tiny country in northern Europe.
Marijuana rescheduling would bring some immediate changes, but others will take time
President Trump set the process in motion to ease federal restrictions on marijuana. But his order doesn't automatically revoke laws targeting marijuana, which remains illegal to transport over state lines.
The cultural works becoming public domain in 2026, from Betty Boop to Nancy Drew
The original Betty Boop, the first four Nancy Drew books and Greta Garbo's first talkie are among the many works from 1930 that will be free to use, share and remake starting on Jan. 1.
