Biden offers to help woman in obtaining vaccine for son with pre-existing condition

President Biden offered to help a mother obtain a COVID-19 vaccine for her son with a pre-existing condition during a CNN town hall Tuesday night.

The president’s offer came after he was asked by Kerri Engebrecht of Wisconsin what he would do to ensure people with pre-existing conditions are priorities for COVID-19 vaccines.

Engebrecht explained that her 19-year-old son was diagnosed with pediatric chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) when he was 14, and that he removed himself from the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus last month because he felt it was safer at home.

Biden said that the states largely decide which populations should be prioritized for COVID-19 vaccinations, though he could make recommendations. 

Biden offers to personally help a mother acquire a Covid vaccine for her son, who has preexisting conditions pic.twitter.com/sz9TkiekQA

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) February 17, 2021

“I can make recommendations, and for federal programs I can do that as president of the United States. But I can’t tell the state, to move such and such a group up,” Biden said.

Biden then offered to help Engebrecht.

“But here’s what I’ll do. If you’re willing, I’ll stay around after this is over and maybe we can talk a few minutes and see if I can get you some help,” Biden said, drawing applause from the audience .

COPD is a chronic inflammatory lung disease that causes obstructed airflow from the lungs, according to the Mayo Clinic. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that having the disease is known to increase the risk of severe illness due to COVID-19.