Biden: "50 Million Vaccinations in First 5 Weeks... Over 100 Million by 100 Days"

50 Million Vaccinations Achieved 37 Days After January 20 Inauguration
Compared to Trump Administration's 16 Million Vaccinations in One Month
US Pharmaceutical Companies Expected to Limit Exports Until US Vaccination Demand is Met

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] Since U.S. President Joe Biden's inauguration, the number of COVID-19 vaccine recipients has surpassed 50 million. From mid-December last year until the 20th of last month, when President Biden took office, the U.S. vaccination pace was sluggish with only about 16 million doses administered amid various confusions. However, the vaccination speed is now gaining momentum. It is expected that the U.S. government will strongly push to achieve over 100 million vaccinations within the first 100 days of Biden's term, as promised during his inauguration. Consequently, there are forecasts that the export volume of vaccines from U.S. pharmaceutical companies may be restricted for some time.

According to foreign media including the Associated Press on the 25th (local time), President Biden attended a '50 Million Vaccine Doses Administered Celebration' held at the White House and stated, "We have successfully vaccinated 50 million people in just 37 days since my inauguration. We have now reached the halfway point, which is several weeks ahead of the original schedule." He added, "By the 100th day of my term, more people will have been vaccinated than the originally promised 100 million."

This event was held to commemorate the surpassing of 50 million vaccine recipients in the U.S. since Biden's inauguration on the 20th of last month. Four essential workers, including emergency medical personnel, school counselors, and grocery store employees, were selected as the 50 millionth vaccine recipients. They were invited to the White House, received their vaccinations, conversed with President Biden, and took commemorative photos.

Earlier, on the 22nd, President Biden held a memorial service at the White House for the 500,000 cumulative COVID-19 deaths in the U.S. The 50 million vaccination celebration on the 5th week of his inauguration is interpreted as an intention to honor the Americans who died amid the chaos during the Trump administration and to connect and emphasize the achievements of the new government.

Indeed, the vaccination pace in the U.S. has significantly increased since President Biden took office. Vaccinations in the U.S. began on December 14 last year. The Trump administration promised to vaccinate 20 million people within two weeks but managed only about 16 million by the 20th of last month, over a month later. With the Biden administration successfully vaccinating 50 million people in 37 days, President Biden's pledge to vaccinate over 100 million people within 100 days is expected to be smoothly achieved.

However, as U.S. pharmaceutical companies are expected to limit vaccine exports, there are concerns that vaccination plans in countries other than the U.S. may be delayed for a considerable period. According to CNN, on the 23rd, major COVID-19 vaccine producers such as Pfizer and Moderna were summoned to a hearing by the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee. They pledged to more than double the current vaccine supply. Consequently, there are worries that the overseas vaccine export volumes of these companies will be restricted.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.