US belatedly hits Biden's Covid vaccination goal as hospitalizations soar

US President Joe Biden's administration had initially targeted July 4, 2021 to hit the goal of administering at least one dose of a Covid vaccine to 70 percent of adults and declare victory over the worst of the pandemic

The United States on Monday hit President Joe Biden's goal of administering at least one dose of a Covid vaccine to 70 percent of adults almost a month late, as the newest wave of infections pushed hospitalizations to levels seen last summer.

Biden's administration had initially targeted Independence Day on July 4 to reach the goal and declare victory over the worst of the pandemic.

While 60.6 percent of eligible adults and 49.7 percent of the total population are now fully vaccinated, the United States has fallen behind its northern neighbor Canada, which started its immunization campaign later but has now fully vaccinated 59 percent of its people.

Across the country, hospitals were seeing on average more than 6,200 daily Covid admissions, while more than 300 people are dying every day.

"One in three cases nationwide occurred in Florida and Texas this past week," he added.

The eight states with the highest current case rates have seen an average increase of 171 percent in their daily vaccination rate compared to three weeks ago, said Zients.

Momentum was also picking up for vaccine mandates in the private sector, with Disney and Walmart implementing new requirements and incentives for employees. 

- Vaccines holding up - 

According to cumulative data reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) by July 24, vaccination resulted in an eight-fold reduction in disease incidence and 25-fold reduction in hospitalizations and deaths.

Breakthrough infections, meanwhile, remain uncommon, but when they do happen, preliminary research suggests there is an increased risk of onward transmission of the Delta variant compared to past strains.

Eight counties in the Bay Area of San Francisco issued mask mandates Monday, as did Louisiana.

Federal health authorities are also debating whether a third dose may be required for certain groups such as the immunocompromised, following a similar move by Israel.

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