Category: Covid-19 Vaccine

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In a bid to boost the countrys COVID-19 vaccination rate, First Lady Jill Biden traveled to Texas on Tuesday and toured a Dallas vaccination site with retired Dallas Cowboys star Emmitt Smith.

Were not done yet, she said at Emmett J. Conrad High School. Right now, only 40% of Texans are fully vaccinated and like Emmitt said, its not enough.

And your lives matter to me and your president.

Her Texas swing was part of a larger effort by senior administration officials who are fanning out across the country this week to encourage vaccinations ahead of the administrations self-imposed goal of hitting a 70% countrywide vaccination rate by July 4. Last week, a Biden administration official said the country was unlikely to meet that goal.

About 41% of Texans are fully vaccinated, while the number of hospitalizations and the weekly average of new cases are on the decline in the state. Health officials say 75% to 90% of Texans would need to be vaccinated to achieve herd immunity. Nationwide, about 66% of adults have at least one dose of the vaccine, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

We all carry each other through the darkest times, Biden said. . That is what we do as Americans...So, God bless you, Dallas, and go get vaccinated.

Biden later traveled to Houston for Tuesday evening, where she was joined by Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff. The two visited a Houston Astros-sponsored vaccination site and then attended an Astros game at Minute Maid Park, sitting with military members and frontline workers. The pair could be seen clinking their beer in plastic cups.

While there, the first lady pointed to Texas low vaccine rate as part of the impetus for coming to the state.

Because the numbers are low here, she said when asked why she came to Texas. I think 40% of all Texans are vaccinated, so that's, you know, the president and the vice president, Doug and I care about the American people about their health. So that's why I'm here.

Earlier in the day, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas traveled to San Antonio to tour a vaccination site there. President Joe Biden will travel to Michigan over the weekend.

In Dallas, Jill Biden and Smith expressed optimism.

In the sports sense were in the fourth quarter, and the game is not finished, Smith told the group in that area.

Were going to get a touchdown, Jill Biden added.

A Republican National Committee spokesman knocked the Biden administration for not reaching its vaccination goal even as the president is widely credited with scaling up the vaccine distribution once he assumed office earlier this year.

Texans should remember that Joe Bidens goal of partially vaccinating 70% of adult Americans by July 4th is nowhere close to being reached, said Republican National Committee spokesman Michael Joyce. Without President Trump and Republicans' Operation Warp Speed, wed be even further behind than we are now.

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Jill Biden and Doug Emhoff visiting Texas to encourage COVID-19 vaccinations - The Texas Tribune

COVID-19 Vaccine Registration Portal Information about COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccines can be found at the CDC website. Please review the facts as you will be requested to consent at the end of your registration. If you need assistance filling out the registration, call the hotline at 833-998-2275 or 531-249-1873 to register.

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Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS ...

German company CureVac NV released the final results for its once-promising Covid-19 vaccine, finding it provided less protection than the vaccines already authorized for use in the U.S.

The company said Wednesday that its vaccine was 48% effective in providing protection against Covid-19 of any severity, regardless of age, in a large, pivotal study.

Shares in CureVac fell nearly 9% in after-hours trading, with shares trading around $67.27 after closing at $73.48 earlier in the day.

The final results confirm the preliminary findings the company released earlier this month. The vaccine might not have performed well enough to win wide use.

CureVac Chief Executive Franz-Werner Haas said in a statement that the vaccine, in a pivotal study named Herald, faced variants that some shots approved earlier hadnt.

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CureVac Covid-19 Vaccine Is 48% Effective in Pivotal Study - The Wall Street Journal

MAYVILLE, N.Y.: - On Thursday, July 1, from 3:30 PM to 6:30 PM, UPMC Chautauqua, The Chautauqua Center (TCC), and the Chautauqua County Department of Health and Human Services will be hosting a free Womens Health Event and COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic at the DoubleTree Hotel, 150 W 4th Street in Jamestown. The main audience for the event is women and girls but all are welcome. There will also be refreshments, surprise gift drawings, many community resource tables, and the Jamestown Mobile Public Market will be on-site.

Local physicians, Dr. Ainsley McFadgen, OB-GYN, UPMC; Dr. Robert Daniels, OB-GYN, Lane Womens Health; and Dr. Paul Robbins, Pediatrician, TCC, will be on-site to address COVID-19 vaccination concerns as they relate to their area of specialty. If you decide the COVID-19 vaccination is right for you or a family member, vaccinators will be onsite to administer Pfizer vaccinations to anyone age 12 and older.

We know that many people, especially women of child bearing age and mothers of teens, have questions about the COVID-19 vaccine and fertility, pregnancy, and breastfeeding, said Christine Schuyler, Chautauqua County Public Health Director. We are very excited for the public to have an opportunity to discuss these topics with some of our local physicians, get vaccinated on site if desired, and enjoy this fun, informative and engaging event.

There is no evidence, nor reason to suspect, that the vaccines are harmful to pregnancy or fertility, said Cecil Miller, Vice President of Operations, UPMC Chautauqua. Pregnant women who are infected with COVID-19, however, have been shown to be at an increased risk for serious illness, and severe COVID-19 during pregnancy can put the baby at risk for complications. These complications highlight the importance of disease prevention through vaccination.

Michael Pease, CEO of The Chautauqua Center, shared, We are happy to work with the County Health Department and UPMC on this important event to help assure the community knows about the importance of getting vaccinated. There continues to be many misperceptions about the COVID vaccines, and this event will allow attendees to ask professionals questions and, if desired, become vaccinated after they are comfortable.

Please join us, and get your questions about the COVID-19 vaccine answered. Admission and parking are free. If you have questions about the event, please contact 1-866-604-6789.

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This One's for the Girls - Women's Health Event and COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic - Chautauqua County

People with arthritis may be concerned that the COVID-19 vaccine will trigger an arthritis flare-up. However, the chance of this occurring is relatively small. Additionally, those with arthritis generally tolerate the vaccine well.

A 2021 study involving 1,519 people with arthritis and other musculoskeletal conditions found that only 5% of the participants experienced flare-ups following the COVID-19 vaccine and that 1.2% experienced severe flare-ups.

Authors of the study also found that the vaccine was generally safe and that people with arthritis tolerated it well.

This article discusses why it is important to get the COVID-19 vaccine. It also looks at how safe and effective the vaccine is for those with arthritis.

It is important for a person to get the COVID-19 vaccine if they are medically able to do so.

A 2021 study in The Lancet notes that it is advisable for those with rheumatic diseases to receive the COVID-19 vaccination.

This is because the vaccine reduces the likelihood of contracting and spreading the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). It also helps prevent people from developing a severe illness with COVID-19 if they contract the virus.

Additionally, those with certain medical conditions have a higher risk of becoming severely ill with COVID-19. This can increase the likelihood of:

According to a 2021 study, those with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are at higher risk of:

The study found that people with RA were 25% more likely than those in the general population to contract the virus. They were also 35% more likely to require hospitalization or die.

The COVID-19 vaccine is safe and effective, and a person with arthritis should get the vaccine if they are medically able to do so.

However, in rare cases, it is possible that the vaccine can trigger an arthritis flare.

A 2021 study followed 1,519 people with arthritis and other musculoskeletal conditions, including RA, psoriatic arthritis, and other forms of arthritis.

Of the participants, 78% received the Pfizer vaccine, 16% received the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, 5% received the Moderna vaccine, and 1% received an uncertain vaccine type.

After vaccination, 5% of the participants experienced arthritic flare-ups, and 1.2% experienced severe flare-ups.

Despite this, most data show that the COVID-19 vaccine is safe for people with arthritis. The study found that most adverse effects were the same as those experienced by the general population. The side effects were short-term and nonserious.

Authors of the study conclude that the COVID-19 vaccine is safe for those with RA and those taking treatments that influence the immune system.

Most studies have examined the relationship between the COVID-19 vaccine and those with autoimmune RA. The immune response to the COVID-19 vaccine may trigger flares in people with immune-related arthritis.

However, there is no evidence to date that the vaccine triggers flare-ups in osteoarthritis.

Some researchers have expressed concerns that disease-modifying drugs might change the immune systems response to the COVID-19 vaccine, making it less effective.

Authors of a 2021 study found lower antibody responses in some people with RA taking these drugs. However, almost all developed a sufficient antibody response by the time they received the second dose of the vaccine.

The lowest antibody response was among those taking Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors in monotherapy or combination therapy.

Despite this, 67% of the 12 people who were taking JAK inhibitors in monotherapy or combination therapy developed a sufficient antibody dose to neutralize SARS-CoV-2.

The study notes that 94% of people taking anti-cytokine biologics developed a neutralizing antibody response. One anti-cytokine biologic, rituximab, which depletes B cells which make antibodies is not given until vaccination is complete.

The most common side effects in those with arthritis include:

The side effects are usually short-term and will resolve without treatment. However, a person should contact a doctor if the side effects persist or steadily worsen.

People who experience difficulty breathing, a severe rash, or other serious symptoms may have a vaccine allergy and should therefore seek immediate medical care.

No arthritis or public health agency currently recommends discontinuing arthritis medication, either because of the vaccine or to avoid contracting SARS-CoV-2.

Stopping arthritis medication can trigger a flare, especially if a person stops taking their medication suddenly.

Moreover, research suggests that even when taking arthritis medication, most people respond well to the vaccine and develop enough antibodies and immune cells to fight the virus.

A person should consult a doctor about the risks and benefits of continuing medications.

People with serious underlying health conditions should discuss these conditions with a doctor.

They may also want to undergo testing to ensure their bodies have produced antibodies in response to the vaccine.

All people living in the United States who are over the age of 12 are currently eligible for COVID-19 vaccines. This includes people with arthritis.

It is important to note that COVID-19 vaccines are free for everyone, including those without health insurance.

Each state has its own COVID-19 vaccine policies and procedures. A person can try visiting the state department of health for help finding a vaccine locally.

Additionally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provide a vaccine finder.

People with autoimmune diseases, including RA, may have autoimmune reactions to vaccines that contain live viruses.

None of the COVID-19 vaccines available in the U.S. contains live viruses.

Additionally, not all forms of arthritis are autoimmune conditions. Osteoarthritis causes damage to the cartilage, rather than autoimmune reactions.

This means that the majority of people with arthritis do not need to avoid any particular COVID-19 vaccine.

However, if a person has a high risk of blood clots, a doctor may have a vaccine preference for them.

People with arthritis may be concerned about receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. However, the COVID-19 vaccine is very safe and effective for those with arthritis.

A person may experience some side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine, including pain at the injection site, fatigue, headache, and, in rare cases, an arthritis flare. For most people, however, the side effects are temporary.

Additionally, receiving the COVID-19 vaccine may be of particular benefit to people with arthritis, especially those with RA, who are at greater risk of contracting SARS-CoV-2 and experiencing severe illness due to COVID-19.

A doctor can help a person weigh the risks and benefits of the vaccine and may also be able to make recommendations about preventing an arthritis flare.

If people are concerned about receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, they should consult a healthcare professional.

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COVID-19 vaccinations and arthritis flare-ups: What to know - Medical News Today

The friendly nudge toward the needle at the Saturday, June 26, concert is rare in North Dakota, where the state Constitution prohibits gifts from the state. That poses a barrier to offering a lottery or other public incentive, which other states have done successfully.

North Dakota has consistently lagged among the bottom half of states in COVID-19 vaccination rates.

The 55.2% of those 18 and older ranked 37th among the 50 states, according to figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention posted Friday, June 25. Neighboring Minnesota, with 69.4%, ranked 16th and South Dakota, with 63.7%, ranked 22nd.

But officials aim to boost North Dakotas vaccinated population with help from a $5.7 million federal grant to the Center for Immunization Research and Education at North Dakota State University.

That will be aimed at increasing vaccination rates and vaccine confidence, said Kylie Hall, the immunization centers project coordinator. We have a lot of work to do.

Because peoples most trusted source of health information is their personal doctor, a key component of the strategy to boost vaccination rates will focus on peer-to-peer training of physicians who can in turn pass trusted information along to their patients and others in the community, Hall said.

Primary care physicians, including those in family practice, internal medicine and pediatrics, will be especially important, but the training also will be given to nurses and other clinic staff, she said.

Pharmacists also will be important in helping to answer questions about the vaccines and to provide shots, Hall said. We have an abundance of pharmacies, she said.

Nurse Sandra Lindsay receives the second dose of a Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at Long Island Jewish Medical Center on Jan. 4, 2021, in the Queens borough of New York City. The Centers for Disease Control and prevention reported Sunday, April 18, 2021, that half of all U.S. adults have received at least one dose of coronavirus vaccine. Shannon Stapleton / Pool / Getty Images / TNS

The effort to boost vaccinations also will examine what social media messages resonate with people and then promote effective messages on social media platforms, where disinformation about vaccines has been rampant.

We know social media is big in most peoples lives, Hall said.

Both North Dakota and Minnesota have embraced the goal of vaccinating 70% of their populations.

I do have confidence that well eventually get there, said Molly Howell, North Dakotas immunization director. I think its going to take a bit of time.

North Dakotas vaccination rate among those 18 and older has climbed about one percentage point per week in recent weeks, she said. Vaccine acceptance was rapid when vaccines first became available earlier this year, Howell added, then plateaued at the end of April.

Public health officials said its important for everyone who is eligible to get vaccinated to protect against a possible surge caused by the so-called Delta variant, which is highly transmissible without protection from a vaccine.

I am concerned about the Delta variant and what will happen this summer, especially after the Fourth of July, when people will gather to celebrate, creating opportunities for the coronavirus to spread, Howell said.

As people resume their routines, including regular visits to the clinic, Howell and Hall hope that more people will get any questions they have about the vaccines answered and get the jab.

Summer is a time of celebrations and get-togethers, and the drive to boost vaccinations will include pop-up vaccination clinics in partnership with local organizations, Hall said, adding that she hopes event sponsors will be willing to collaborate.

That really comes down to local public-private partnerships, she said. Bars, for example, could sponsor events or promotions tied to getting vaccinated.

Efforts also will be made to encourage local physicians and clinics to keep vaccines on hand, so patients who stop by for visits could opt to be vaccinated, making vaccination convenient and accessible, Hall said.

Fargo Cass Public Health, which is providing vaccines to the Cass County Jail weekly and to homebound patients identified through its home health program, is continually evaluating mobile vaccine clinics, Director Desi Fleming said.

As summer wanes and attention turns to the fall, public health officials hope COVID-19 immunizations will pick up as students get their school vaccinations.

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NDSU gets $5.7M to boost North Dakota's lagging COVID-19 vaccination rate - Grand Forks Herald

Progress is being made in the fight against COVID-19 with the number of cases in Ohio declining on a daily basis. The Cleveland Clinic is working hard to increase vaccinations and keep the COVID-19 cases on the decline.

With three vaccinesPfizer-Biotech, Moderna, and Johnson and Johnsonall approved for emergency use authorization (EUA), widespread vaccination is now available to anyone ages 12 years and up.

The Cleveland Clinic has been the trusted voice in the ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic and remains committed to getting as many people vaccinated as possible.All three vaccines have been shown to be safe and effective at preventing COVID-19. The majority of the vaccines we have given in this country are the Pfizer and Moderna messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines, says Dr. Michelle Medina, with the department of pediatrics and associate chief of clinical operations at Cleveland Clinic Community Health. With the data from the clinical trials and our experience with the vaccines since December 2020, we know these are very safe and effective vaccines.

As with any vaccine, some individuals may experience mild side effects. In approximately one-third of patients who receive the vaccine, we see some immunization side effects, says Medina. These may include local injection soreness, muscle aches, some systemic malaise or chills, and a slight fever that may last a few days. These side effects are consistent with what we have seen with other vaccines.

In clinical trials, the Pfizer and Moderna mRNA vaccines were 94% to 95% effective in preventing COVID-19 illnessincluding asymptomatic COVID-19 infection.

The first dose of the Pfizer vaccine provides about 85% protection and sets up your immune system to recognize what it is supposed to be fighting, explains Medina. The second dose increases your protection to more than 95% efficacy and provides durability to your immune response. Our numbers are fairly stable with the clinical trials at about 95% efficacy for individuals who receive both doses.

In a recent study, the Cleveland Clinic found that of the 4,300 coronavirus patients admitted to Clinic hospitals between Jan. 1, 2021 and April 13, 2021, 99% were not fully vaccinated. This data reinforces how effective the vaccines are at preventing symptomatic infections, severe illnesses, and hospitalizations.

It has been a little over a year since we heard about COVID-19 and less than a year since the vaccine became available, so we are all learning at an extremely rapid pace, saysDr. Nazleen Bharmal with the department of internal medicine and geriatrics and associate chief of community health and partnerships at the Cleveland Clinic It is important to emphasize that these viruses mutate. Right now, all three vaccines in the U.S. at this time appear to be effective in preventing severe outcomes from COVID-19like deathfrom the current global mutations, some of which spread more effectively than the original virus.

The Cleveland Clinic has been the trusted voice in the ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic and remains committed to getting as many people vaccinated as possible. Since the pandemic began, the Cleveland Clinic has performed more than 930,000COVID-19 tests and since December 2020 has administered more than 315,000 COVID-19 vaccinations at its vaccination sitesthe most of any health system in Ohio. The Cleveland Clinic home care team has also vaccinated more than 1,000 homebound patients.

Irma McQueen receives a COVID-19 vaccine at the Langston Hughes Health and Education Center. Overcoming barriersVaccine hesitancy continues to slow progress toward herd immunity. According to Medina, there are many reasons why people are still hesitant to get the COVID-19 vaccine, with many taking a wait and see stance.

We have gone beyond the folks who actually wanted the vaccine and got it, she says. Now, we are focused on those who chose to wait and see and we are changing our strategy to better understand and address their resistance.

According to regional and national surveys, the majority of those wait-and-see individuals are waiting for their doctor to recommend the vaccine. With COVID-19 vaccines now available at the Cleveland Clinic primary care locations, primary care providers can now have a one-on-one conversation with their patients about their concerns, stress the importance of getting the vaccine, and provide the vaccine at the same location.

Others in the community, especially those who work in manufacturing, have expressed concerns about side effects and not being able to take a day off work. This is an opportunity for us to have a one-on-one dialogue with employers about flexibility and how vaccinating their workforce contributes to better health outcomes for their entire workforce, says Bharmal.

The Cleveland Clinic has also been addressing COVID-19 health disparities through a regional community health response to reach vulnerable populations disproportionately affected by COVID-19 infections and deaths.

In collaboration with Northern Ohio regional hospitals and health department partners, the Community Health and Partnerships team has developed and implemented a proactive strategy focused on connecting and communicating with local officials, faith-based organizations, community leaders, government officials, schools, churches and other community organizations, and individual community members with a focus on outreach, education, testing and vaccine access in underserved areas.

The foundation of our Community Health and Partnerships strategy is that it should come from our community partners who have the trust and expertise of their communities, explains Bharmal. We believe they are best able to relay the message about the importance of the vaccine and help us understand what the barriers to vaccination in their community might be.

Community vaccination clinic at The Langston Hughes Center.Through this collaborative effort, The Cleveland Clinic has been able to identify areas with lower rates of vaccine uptick and proactively partner on vaccination events in these areas in a culturally sensitive way.

According to Bharmal, one of the greatest aspects of Community Health and Partnerships team is thinking regionally and statewide. We have worked with a number of partners that include other health care systems in our region, and with federally qualified health centers, he explains, specifically primary care centers for underserved populations including public health departments.

The Community Health and Partnerships team has been meeting since last year on a weekly basis to address issues like testing and personal protective equipment (PPE), donations, and now, vaccine distribution. Our community response has been to connect, communicate, and mitigate, says Bharmal. We are currently meeting with more than 30 community-based partners in addressing other specific areas and populations to help bring people to local vaccination clinics.The Cleveland Clinic currently has walk-in vaccination clinics at its Langston Hughes Community Health and Education Center in the Fairfax neighborhood, and Lutheran Hospital, which serves the large, surrounding Latinx community. By opening local walk-in vaccination clinics and providing needed resources, such as bilingual caregivers, the Clinic is eliminating barriers by providing local vaccine access.

In fact, The Community Health and Partnerships team developed a five-year strategy in 2019 right before COVID-19, which has accelerated that effort and created an increased awareness about health disparities on a whole host of issues.

Our community health strategy is committed to our hospitals and health centers, local and diverse hiring, and investing back into our communities, says Bharmal. We are truly at the foundation of our health equity community partnerships. We are right there to be part of it and will continue doing this until we are certain we have reached everyone we can. Together we can ensure all patients, families, and communities have the opportunity to thrive and flourish.

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Safety, efficacy, and access: Cleveland Clinic's response to the COVID-19 vaccine - freshwatercleveland

From News Reports| The Hutchinson News

Hutchinsons Historic Fox Theatre and the Reno County Health Department are offering a great incentive to get vaccinated.

If you receive your first or second dose of a COVID-19 vaccination at the Health Department between July 1 and July 14, you will receive a certificate for aBuy One-Get One Freeshow at the Fox Theatre,18 E. First Ave.

The offer is available to anyone, not just Reno County residents.

Eligible shows include the Texas Tenors, Judy Collins, the Hutchinson Symphonys New Years Eve Concert and more. Tickets for select shows may be limited.

One of the first businesses to close and one of the last to re-open, weve been thinking about how the Fox can contribute to the community during our 90thAnniversary, said Fox Theatre Executive Director Chuck Miller. It seemed so complicated until reading about the Spangles promotion. We join them in encouraging Kansans to research the vaccines and then consider taking advantage of the national vaccination effort.

This special does not include shows from the 2021-22 subscription series. The coupon must be redeemed at the Fox Theatres Box Office by July 31 and cannot be duplicated.

The Reno County Health Department, 209 W. Second, is offering walk-in vaccinations during its normal business hours of 7:30 a.m. to noon and 1 to 6 p.m., Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, and Wednesday 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 6 p.m.

The Pfizer vaccine is available for those aged 12 and over, and Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines for ages 18 and over. The vaccine is free for anyone regardless of insurance or citizenship status. For more information, visitwww.renogov.orgor call 620-694-2900.

Eligible BOGO Shows:

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Fox Theatre offers BOGO show tickets for COVID-19 vaccinations - The Hutchinson News

In a bid to boost the countrys COVID-19 vaccination rate, First Lady Jill Biden traveled to Texas on Tuesday and toured a Dallas vaccination site with retired Dallas Cowboys star Emmitt Smith.

Were not done yet, she said at Emmett J. Conrad High School. Right now, only 40% of Texans are fully vaccinated and like Emmitt said, its not enough.

And your lives matter to me and your president.

Her Texas swing was part of a larger effort by senior administration officials who are fanning out across the country this week to encourage vaccinations ahead of the administrations self-imposed goal of hitting a 70% countrywide vaccination rate by July 4. Last week, a Biden administration official said the country was unlikely to meet that goal.

About 41% of Texans are fully vaccinated, while the number of hospitalizations and the weekly average of new cases are on the decline in the state. Health officials say 75% to 90% of Texans would need to be vaccinated to achieve herd immunity. Nationwide, about 66% of adults have at least one dose of the vaccine, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

We all carry each other through the darkest times, Biden said. . That is what we do as Americans...So, God bless you, Dallas, and go get vaccinated.

Biden later traveled to Houston for Tuesday evening, where she was joined by Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff. The two visited a Houston Astros-sponsored vaccination site and then attended an Astros game at Minute Maid Park, sitting with military members and frontline workers. The pair could be seen clinking their beer in plastic cups.

While there, the first lady pointed to Texas low vaccine rate as part of the impetus for coming to the state.

Because the numbers are low here, she said when asked why she came to Texas. I think 40% of all Texans are vaccinated, so that's, you know, the president and the vice president, Doug and I care about the American people about their health. So that's why I'm here.

Earlier in the day, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas traveled to San Antonio to tour a vaccination site there. President Joe Biden will travel to Michigan over the weekend.

In Dallas, Jill Biden and Smith expressed optimism.

In the sports sense were in the fourth quarter, and the game is not finished, Smith told the group in that area.

Were going to get a touchdown, Jill Biden added.

A Republican National Committee spokesman knocked the Biden administration for not reaching its vaccination goal even as the president is widely credited with scaling up the vaccine distribution once he assumed office earlier this year.

Texans should remember that Joe Bidens goal of partially vaccinating 70% of adult Americans by July 4th is nowhere close to being reached, said Republican National Committee spokesman Michael Joyce. Without President Trump and Republicans' Operation Warp Speed, wed be even further behind than we are now.

This article originally appeared in The Texas Tribune at https://www.texastribune.org/2021/06/29/texas-jill-biden-doug-emhoff-vaccines/. The Texas Tribune is a member-supported, nonpartisan newsroom informing and engaging Texans on state politics and policy. Learn more at texastribune.org.

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Jill Biden and Doug Emhoff Visiting Texas to Encourage COVID-19 Vaccinations - GovExec.com

SMITHFIELD, RI -Bryant University has established the policy for student vaccination and masking for the 2021 fall semester. It is the Universitys intent to implement similar vaccination and masking policies for staff and faculty. These will be announced separately.

The Student Vaccination and Masking Policy will require that all students be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 prior to their arrival on campus for the 2021 fall semester, except for those students with exemptions for medical, religious or other reasons; see details below.

Students are required to email confirmation of their COVID-19 vaccination to Health Services atbhs@bryant.edu no later than Tuesday, August 10. For students whohave not yet received a vaccine, there are many free and convenient places to receive vaccinations, including at local CVS, Walgreens, Walmart and Stop and Shop locations. For students who receive COVID-19 vaccinations outside of the United States, the University will accept documentation of COVID-19 vaccines for which the World Health Organization has issued an Emergency Use Listing.

Exemption from the vaccine requirement can be requested by completing and submitting the Student Vaccine Exemption Request Form to studentaffairs@bryant.edu by Tuesday, August 10. Information submitted in support of a request will be handled with the utmost privacy in compliance with all applicable privacy laws.

COVID-19 Vaccine Holds will become active on August 1 for students who have not satisfied the vaccine requirement or obtained an exemption. While under a Vaccine Hold, residential students will be unable to receive their residential room keys, first-year commuter students will be unable to receive their Bryant laptop computer, and other commuter students will be handled on a case-by-case basis.

Students who are not fully vaccinated or have chosen not to be vaccinated will continue to be required to wear a mask on campus when indoors or outdoors in crowded settings where they are less than three feet apart from others.These and other public health policies are subject to change with RI Department of Health and CDC requirements.

Students with questions regarding the policy and form should contact Student Affairs at studentaffairs@bryant.edu. Faculty and staff with questions should contact Human Resources.

Bryant University President Ross Gittell, Ph.D.

Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students Dr. Inge-Lise Ameer

Associate Provost Wendy Samter, Ph.D.

Vice President for Human Resources Tim Paige

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Student COVID-19 Vaccination and Masking Policy for Fall Semester 2021 - Bryant University