Story at a glance
- Katko last week introduced a resolution calling on Biden to create “National COVID-19 Vaccination Awareness Day.”
- The purpose of the holiday would be to “act as a galvanizing moment to promote the more rapid distribution” of vaccines to all areas of the country and “increase public awareness of the important role of vaccination” for a return to normalcy.
- The effort includes reassuring Americans vaccines are safe and effective and recognizing the success of Operation Warp Speed.
A Republican lawmaker is urging President Biden to declare a one-time federal holiday to boost COVID-19 vaccine awareness across the country.
Rep. John Katko (R-N.Y.) last week introduced a resolution calling on Biden to take executive actions to create “National COVID-19 Vaccination Awareness Day.”
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The purpose of the holiday would be to “act as a galvanizing moment to promote the more rapid distribution” of vaccines to all areas of the country and “increase public awareness of the important role of vaccination” for a return to normalcy.
The effort includes reassuring Americans vaccines are safe and effective and recognizing the success of Operation Warp Speed, the historic development of several COVID-19 vaccines in record time.
“The fact that our nation has developed and started distributing several safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines in under a year is nothing short of extraordinary,” Katko, ranking member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, said in a statement.
“We must encourage more Americans to get vaccinated while continuing to collaborate with federal, state, and local leaders to ensure rapid and equitable distribution. Americans can rest assured that there is an end in sight, and together, we will emerge from this pandemic stronger than before,” he said.
Democratic Reps. Abigail Spanberger of Virginia and Josh Gottheimer of New Jersey have co-sponsored the measure.
As of Tuesday, more than 110 million COVID-19 doses have been administered nationwide with nearly 12 percent of the total population fully vaccinated, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Several states have now expanded vaccine eligibility as supply ramps up, and Biden has directed states to make all adults eligible by May 1. The U.S. is expected to have enough vaccines for every adult by the end of May.
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