The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) asked the Pentagon to help with President Biden’s goal of vaccinating 100 million people against coronavirus in his first 100 days in office, the Department of Defense (DOD) spokesman said on Thursday. -market.
“The Department of Defense received a request from FEMA for assistance in administering the COVID-19 vaccine in various locations across the country. The Department is evaluating the request and what support it can offer, ”said Pentagon press secretary John Kirby in a statement.
Kirby said that, given the importance of the request, “it will be reviewed urgently, but carefully” to determine what military means can be made available to help with security.
“Like [Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin
Lloyd AustinOvernight Defense: Biden administration pausing UAE, Saudi arms sales | Pentagon making climate change national security priority | VA secretary nominee sails through hearing Pentagon declares climate change a ‘national security issue’ Senate GOP slow walking Biden’s pick to lead DHS MORE] said, DOD is committed to doing its utmost to help the whole government’s efforts against COVID-19. “
CNN was the first to report discussions between the Pentagon and the Department of Homeland Security, of which FEMA is a part, about how the military can help the agency.
Possible solutions include sending up to 10,000 active duty and National Guard forces to so-called vaccination megahubs.
President Biden has an ambitious goal for the United States to vaccinate 1.5 million people a day for the next few weeks, he announced on Monday.
“It will be a logistical challenge that goes beyond everything we have tried in this country, but I think we can do that,” said Biden during a news conference.
But the White House acted to moderate expectations, with the press secretary Jen Psaki
Jen PsakiOvernight Health Care: Biden Consultant Offers More Pessimistic Forecast About Vaccine Launch | CDC says coronavirus can kill up to 514K on February 20 | Vaccine research funds have been misused for decades, says the watchdog, says McCaul urges senators to block the Commerce Secretary’s vote on Huawei’s concerns that the White House is going full steam ahead in COVID’s relief talks -19 on Tuesday clarifying that Biden was just being optimistic and that he was not setting a concrete goal.
White House COVID-19 adviser Andy Slavitt said on Wednesday that it will be “months” before all Americans who want a coronavirus vaccine can get it.