Despite Missing Vaccine Targets, Biden's Approval Rating Soars

Independence Day Vaccine Goal of 70% Not Met but Approval Rating Holds in 60% Range
White House Holds Event with 1,000 Participants Amid Delta Variant Spread
Concerns Over Political Burden if COVID-19 Resurges

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] U.S. President Joe Biden ultimately failed to achieve the goal of vaccinating at least 70% of the entire adult population with at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine by Independence Day, July 4. Nevertheless, President Biden plans to declare success in COVID-19 response through a White House barbecue party attended by 1,000 people.

Although President Biden's approval rating for his COVID-19 response has surpassed 60%, there are concerns that a resurgence of COVID-19 could pose a significant political burden.

On the 4th (local time), CNN reported using data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that as of the 3rd, 67.0% of Americans aged 18 and older had received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. This falls short of President Biden's target by 3.0 percentage points.

Among the 50 U.S. states, 20 have reached the goal, but progress remains slow in the other 30 states.

Although the goal was not fully met, having 67.0% of adults partially vaccinated is a considerable achievement.

When asked by reporters about the vaccination goal on the day, President Biden responded, "We're almost there."

Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), said in an interview with NBC on the 4th, "As a nation, overall, we are doing very well."

The Washington Post analyzed that the goal of vaccinating 70% of adults with at least one dose would likely be achieved only by early August.

Americans are giving favorable ratings to President Biden's COVID-19 response. In a conservative media Fox News poll released that day, Biden's approval rating for COVID-19 response reached 64%. The Washington Post and ABC News polls also showed 62% approval.

In this context, The Washington Post described the Independence Day barbecue event hosted by President Biden in the White House garden, inviting medical staff and others, as risky. President Biden is expected to declare victory over COVID-19 at this event.

The Washington Post's assessment is that if COVID-19 spreads again after the event, it could become a political risk factor for President Biden.

Professor Ezekiel Emanuel of the University of Pennsylvania emphasized that the battle against COVID-19 is not yet won, stating, "President Biden should not declare victory too quickly. (Rather than declaring victory,) it is more important to focus on what we still need to do."

Large-scale Independence Day fireworks events are also scheduled across the United States. In New York, the Macy's department store fireworks event will be held that evening over the East River. With the organizers announcing the largest event ever, many are expected to attend the fireworks viewing. In Washington DC, a large-scale fireworks display will take place around the National Mall.

The large-scale fireworks events will be held after local governments have lifted quarantine measures. There are concerns that if large crowds gather without masks, the spread of the Delta variant cannot be ruled out.

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