Joe Biden - Policy on Vaccines

December 7, 2020: Pfizer, which says its vaccine is 95% effective in clinical trials, and Moderna, which says its jab is 94% effective, have both applied to the Food and Drug Administration to distribute their drugs in the US. The UK, on Wednesday, became the first country in the world to approve the Pfizer vaccine. Speaking in Wilmington, Delaware, Biden said it would not be necessary to make a coronavirus vaccine mandatory.

“I will do everything in my power as president to encourage people to do the right thing and when they do it, demonstrate that it matters,” he said.

On Thursday, Biden told CNN he would be happy to take a vaccine in public to allay potential concerns about its safety. Three former presidents – Barack Obama, George W Bush, and Bill Clinton – have also prepared to be inoculated publicly. Overall, 60% of Americans say they would probably get a vaccine for the coronavirus if one were available today, up from 51% who said this in September, the pew research center says.

“My hope is they will then be inclined to say it’s worth the patriotic duty to go ahead and protect other people,” Biden said.