U.S. offers tax credit to spur vaccinations

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden on Wednesday announced employer tax credits and other steps to encourage people reluctant to be inoculated to get the COVID-19 vaccine

The moves came as Biden celebrated reaching his latest goal of administering 200 million coronavirus doses in his first 100 days in office.

With more than 50% of adults at least partially vaccinated and roughly 28 million vaccine doses being delivered each week, demand has eclipsed supply as the constraining factor to vaccinations in much of the country.

In a White House speech on Wednesday, Biden acknowledged entering a “new phase” in the federal vaccination effort that relies on increased outreach to Americans to get their shots, both to protect them and their communities.

“Vaccines can save your own life, but they can also save your grandmother’s life, your coworker’s life, the grocery store clerk or the delivery person helping you and your neighbours get through the crisis,” Biden said. “That’s why you should get vaccinated.”

Over the past week, the pace of inoculation in the U.S. has slowed. That is partly a reflection of disruptions from the “pause” in administration of the Johnson & Johnson shot for a safety review, but also of softening interest for vaccines in many places even as eligibility has been opened to all those older than 16.