Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Biden Rallies Drive To Get Shots In 70% Of American Arms By July 4
The Guardian: Biden Announces ‘Month Of Action’ To Get 70% Of Americans Vaccinated
Joe Biden has announced a national “month of action” to try to get at least 70% of Americans vaccinated against coronavirus before the Fourth of July holiday. Touting the progress already made, and dangling the promise of a “summer of freedom” from Covid-19 to those reluctant to get a shot, the US president urged citizens, especially those under 40, to play a role in the “wartime effort” to defeat the virus. (Luscombe and Greve, 6/2)
CNN: 'Get A Shot And Have A Beer': Biden's New Covid Strategy Woos Vaccine Skeptics
This Bud's for you, and anyone else ready to roll up their sleeve to put the pandemic behind them. The White House's new partnership with Anheuser-Busch offering free beers if the country reaches its goal of getting 70% of adults at least one Covid-19 vaccine shot by July 4 -- almost Prohibition in reverse -- is more than a gimmick. (Collinson, 6/3)
Axios: Anheuser-Busch To Offer Biggest Beer Giveaway Ever If U.S. Reaches July 4 Vaccine Goal
Anheuser-Busch announced Wednesday it is partnering with the White House to offer its "biggest beer giveaway ever" if the U.S. reaches President Biden's goal of having 70% of adults partially vaccinated by July 4. The campaign to "buy America’s next round of beer" comes as states, businesses and employers have sought creative ways to get shots in arms, as vaccination rates have dropped since April. (Allassan, 6/2)
USA Today: Biden Teams Up With Black Barbershops, Salons To Boost COVID Vaccines
With an eye toward 70% of U.S. adults receiving at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose by July 4, President Joe Biden on Wednesday announced a monthlong effort to encourage more Americans to roll up their sleeves for a shot. "The more people we get vaccinated, the more success we’re going to have in the fight against this virus,” he said during remarks at the White House, adding that the U.S. could see a dramatically different summer from last year. "A summer of freedom. A summer of joy. A summer of get-togethers and celebrations." As part of his June "month of action," Biden announced "Shots at the Shop," an initiative bringing together 1,000 Black-owned barbershops and beauty salons across the nation to serve as vaccination locations. (Hassanein, 6/2)
Politico: White House's Vaccine Push Now Includes Longer Pharmacy Hours, Free Childcare — And Beer
The White House is ramping up efforts to ensure that U.S. adults get vaccinated against Covid-19, announcing extended pharmacy hours for shots and free child care for recipients, expanded community outreach efforts and even free beer. The push is part of a broader effort by the administration to encourage and make it easier for unvaccinated Americans to get Covid-19 shots — and meet President Joe Biden's goal of giving at least one shot to 70 percent of U.S. adults by July 4. (Lim, 6/2)
In related news —
ABC News: 70% Of Adults In 12 States Have Received At Least 1 COVID Vaccine Dose: CDC
A dozen states passed a major vaccine milestone Wednesday as more than 70% of their adult populations have received at least one coronavirus vaccine dose, according to health data. The situation, however, contrasts with a handful of states, most of which are in the South, that have not broken the halfway mark with their adult residents. (Pereira and Mitropoulos, 6/2)
Fox News: Walensky Worried Over Uneven COVID-19 Vaccination Rates As Summer Approaches
Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), expressed concern Wednesday that unvaccinated people will suffer preventable COVID-19 sickness and death due to the seasonality of the virus. Federal data indicates 51.7% of U.S. adults are fully vaccinated as much of the country shifts into warmer summer months. Walensky, speaking virtually at the 9th annual Atlanta Global Health Summit, said coronaviruses tend to have seasonality, and respiratory viruses tend to favor the winter months. "In terms of seasonality, we certainly did see a summer surge in areas last year where people were indoors and the hot states, and this winter surge after travel." (Rivas, 6/2)
CNN: Some Students May Have To Wear Masks To School This Fall If Communities Don't Get Vaccinated, Fauci Warns
Americans have seen a wave of reopenings and the relaxation of restrictions as more people get vaccinated, but experts are warning the public not to get complacent if the return to normal is to continue. And if some communities continue to see high levels of Covid-19 infections, children under 12 in those areas will likely still have to wear masks next school year, Dr. Anthony Fauci told NBC Nightly News. (Holcombe, 6/3)
