In the US, the vaccination campaign is slowing down. But President Joe Biden has a goal – and he wants to achieve that with unusual measures.
Washington – While many people around the world are waiting for their corona vaccination, the US vaccination rate is falling. US President Joe Biden tries to encourage the population to vaccinate – with extraordinary means.
For this reason, Biden announced a “national month of action” on Wednesday, through which people should be motivated to vaccinate against Corona. His goal: by Independence Day on July 4th, he wants to have 70 percent of all adults vaccinated at least once. The way to get there are free beer, lotto millions and free baseball tickets.
Vaccinations in the USA: Incentives should get the campaign going again
When Biden made his announcement, he strongly advocated the vaccination. The aim is to get rid of the fear of infection. “All over the world people desperately want a vaccination that every American can get in a drugstore in their neighborhood for free and without waiting,” said the President of the USA. Currently, around 63 percent of adults have had a primary vaccination. Given the progress, there will be a “Summer of Freedom” and “Summer of Joy”. At the same time, Biden warned that one had to ensure that the number of infections does not rise again in autumn when people are inside again.
Most recently, the number of daily vaccinations against corona in the USA has decreased significantly. Many states, municipalities, and companies are already offering incentives to push the quota up again. The funds for this range from raffles for millions in prizes to cruises to shopping vouchers and tickets for sporting events. During the “National Action Month”, these attractants are to be used more and vaccination is to be made easier. Among other things, these measures are planned:
- Parents can get free childcare at various facilities for the time they are receiving the vaccination against Corona or are recovering from the vaccine reactions.
- Special vaccination offers in hairdressing and beauty salons should explicitly address the Afro-American population.
- Vice President Kamala Harris and other senior members of the government are scheduled to tour the country to promote vaccination.
- The beverage company Anheuser-Busch wants to give all vaccinated a beer if Biden’s goal of 70 percent against corona vaccinated people is reached on independence day. “Get vaccinated and have a beer,” said Biden about the action.
- The Kroger supermarket chain is giving away a million dollars to five people who have been vaccinated in pharmacies in their stores. Another ten people who are vaccinated will have the opportunity to shop for free in the chain’s stores for a year.
- Major League Baseball will offer fans free tickets that can be vaccinated in the stadium. Vaccination offers are also available at NBA and NHL games and at races in the Nascar motorsport series
Biden fights against vaccine skepticism in the US
In the United States, vaccination skepticism is particularly widespread among Republican supporters. “We were elected to be president and vice president of all Americans,” Biden said of himself and Kamala Harris. “And I don’t want the country, which is already too divided, to be divided in a new way – between places where people live free from fear of Covid and places where death and death with autumn serious illnesses will return. “
Biden emphasized that party preference does not play a role in the vaccination against Corona. Because the first emergency approvals of vaccines were initiated under his predecessor Donald Trump. “Every American over the age of twelve – no matter where you live, what you believe, who you choose – has the right to be vaccinated. It is your choice. “
The US is not the only country promoting corona vaccination. In Hong Kong and Australia vaccination incentives are also being created. (spr / dpa)
