Topline
President Joe Biden on Monday urged private sector leaders to mandate coronavirus vaccines for their employees after the Food and Drug Administration granted full approval to the Pfizer-BioNTech shot, casting the development as a tipping point for vaccine-hesitant Americans.
Key Facts
Biden said the approval of the Pfizer vaccine, which had previously been authorized for emergency use, is the “gold standard” and told Americans waiting for full approval to “get your shot today,” adding.
Biden said business leaders should “step up with vaccine requirements that will reach millions more people,” pointing to the vaccine-or-test mandate he implemented for federal workers last month as a model.
“I call on you now to do that: require it,” Biden said, extending it to non-profit and state and local leaders who have not yet mandated the vaccines.
The comments come as several government bodies, including the Pentagon and the New York City Department of Education, are implementing new vaccine mandates in the wake of the FDA’s decision.
Dozens of major companies from Walmart to Google to the New York Times have already mandated vaccines, others, and United Airlines is expected to mandate them as well after earlier this month announced it would mandate vaccines on Oct. 25 or, if it came earlier, five weeks after FDA approval.
Key Background
The Biden administration has been steadfastly advocating for vaccine mandates in recent months and clashing with GOP governors who have placed restrictions on them. Earlier this month, Biden met with business, university and health care leaders who have mandated vaccines and urged them to “talk to their industry peers about this important step,” according to a White House readout.
Crucial Quote
“The moment you’ve been waiting for is here,” Biden said, addressing hesitant Americans waiting for FDA approval, adding, “It’s time for you to go get your vaccination, and get it today. Today.”
