The United States is nearing 300,000 deaths due to COVID-19, and the country is expected to begin its first vaccine doses on Monday.
Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar is urging Americans to still be careful over the next several weeks, even as the U.S. begins COVID-19 vaccination.
“While it is a historic and happy day, in terms of the hope, it’s also a call to action,” Azar said during Monday’s “Today” show interview, adding that the U.S. is in a “bridging period.”
He continued in his plea to Americans, “You’ve got to act responsibly,” urging people to wash their hands, socially distance, and wear a face covering.
“We’ve got these vaccines coming to you. I want you to be there to get these vaccines! I want you to be there!”
“Please be careful over the next several weeks,” Azar added. “Be very careful.”
Watch Azar’s comments below:
“Please be careful over the next several weeks. Be very careful.” – HHS secretary Alex Azar warns Americans not let their guard down as U.S. vaccinations begin today pic.twitter.com/jTAAFdY8JI
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) December 14, 2020
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Dr. Robert Redfield offered a statement over the weekend after giving the final go-ahead on Pfizer/BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine.
He said, “Initial COVID-19 vaccination is set to start as early as Monday, and this is the next step in our efforts to protect Americans, reduce the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and help restore some normalcy to our lives and our country.”
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued emergency use authorization for Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine on Friday.
Azar also noted during Monday’s interview that there are 2.9 million doses of the vaccine being sent out, and it will be up to leaders in those areas such as governors to distribute it.
Watch his full interview below:
“Please get the vaccine.”
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) December 14, 2020
Watch @SavannahGuthrie’s full interview with Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar about today’s coronavirus vaccine rollout and when the general population can expect to receive a vaccine. pic.twitter.com/4BdPdltkJc
“We know we have vaccines available to get to 20 million people by the end of December, and then a total of 50 million by the end of January,” Azar said, adding a prediction of 100 million people being vaccinated by March. “But we’ll actually have 100 million shots in arms by the end of February between first and second doses.”
He added, “Today’s such a historic day as we hopefully see the light at the end of the tunnel of this horrible pandemic and the toll of human suffering that we have seen.”