Biden to unvaccinated Americans: 'The time for waiting is over'
President Joe Biden addressed the millions of Americans who have not yet been vaccinated against COVID-19 while outlining his new six-part strategy to combat the delta variant.
"My message to unvaccinated Americans is this: What more is there to wait for? What more do you need to see?" Biden said during remarks from the White House Thursday evening. "We've made vaccinations free, safe and convenient. The vaccine has FDA approval. Over 200 million Americans have gotten at least one shot. We’ve been patient, but our patience is wearing thin. And your refusal has cost all of us. So, please, do the right thing."
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The White House plan includes a requirement that all federal government employees and contractors be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. The Department of Labor is also developing an emergency rule for businesses with 100 or more employees to require that their workers be vaccinated or undergo testing at least once a week.
The measures "are going to take time to have full impact," Biden said. "But if we implement them, I believe and the scientists indicate, that the months ahead we can reduce the number of unvaccinated Americans, decrease hospitalizations and deaths and allow our children to go to school safely and keep our economy strong by keeping businesses open."
"The time for waiting is over," he said.