Biden lays out plan to get America vaccinated

WILMINGTON, Del. — U.S. President-elect Joe Biden on Friday said he would order increased production of syringes and other supplies to ramp up vaccinations against COVID19 and improve upon the Trump administration rollout that he called a “dismal failure.”

Under Biden's plan, federal disaster-relief workers would set up thousands of vaccination centres where retired doctors would administer shots to teachers, grocery store workers, people older than 65 and other groups who do not currently qualify.

The Democrat would invoke the Defense Production Act to increase production of equipment needed to distribute the vaccines, such as glass vials, needles and syringes, according to a document released by his transition team. He would also use the law to support vaccine refrigeration and storage.

Biden said his team has identified companies that are ready to be activated under the law, which enables the president to order businesses to produce items necessary for national defence.

States that use their National Guard in the effort would be reimbursed by the federal government, the transition team said.

The coronavirus has killed more than 390,000 people in the United States, and a top Biden adviser said on Friday the death tally could reach 500,000 by February.

Biden has promised to do better than President Donald Trump to curb the virus and get 100 million vaccine shots into the arms of Americans during his first 100 days in office.

“This is a time to set big goals and pursue them with courage and conviction because the health of the nation is literally at stake,” said Biden, who takes office on Wednesday.

Speaking near his home in Wilmington, Del., Biden called for increasing vaccine distribution in lower-income neighbourhoods not currently well served by hospitals and pharmacies. Biden also plans a marketing campaign to encourage those skeptical of the vaccine to get inoculated.

His transition team said he will reorganize the vaccine distribution team currently called “Operation Warp Speed” and has asked former Food and Drug Administration chief David Kessler to work with manufacturers to boost vaccine availability.

Biden said his administration will release the vast majority of doses when they become available, rather than holding back a large portion to ensure that recipients can get a second dose, which had been the Trump administration's approach for much of the rollout.

KEVIN LAMARQUE • REUTERS U.S. President-elect Joe Biden speaks about his plan to administer COVID-19 vaccines to the U.S. population during a news conference at his transition headquarters in Wilmington, Del., on Friday.