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"The data couldn't be clearer ... if you're vaccinated, you're
safe," Biden told a Raleigh crowd that planned to visit
neighborhoods to advocate for getting the vaccine. "You are
still at risk of getting seriously ill or dying if you in fact
have not been vaccinated."
Only 55% of the southern state's adult population has had at
least one shot despite a slew of incentives, including a $1
million lottery, according to the North Carolina Department of
Health and Human Services.
The White House acknowledged this week that it would not meet a
self-imposed deadline to get 70% of U.S. adults at least
partially vaccinated by July 4, noting that those aged 18 to 26
have been especially reluctant to get the shots.
Biden's visit came as the more contagious Delta variant of the
virus is taking hold across the globe and emerging as the
biggest obstacle to stopping COVID-19 within U.S. borders,
infectious disease expert Anthony Fauci said earlier this week.
"Unvaccinated people are incredibly vulnerable," Biden said,
referencing the Delta variant.
Sixteen states and the District of Columbia have reached Biden’s
vaccination goal, but the country as a whole and several other
states continue to lag.
The trip to North Carolina, Biden's first since he took office
in January, was one of a series of COVID-related events on
Thursday. First Lady Jill Biden and Fauci were in Florida to
visit vaccine sites, including a drive-through site and one at a
hockey arena.
(Reporting By Jarrett Renshaw; additional reporting by Jeff
Mason; Editing by Heather Timmons and Sonya Hepinstall)
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