On Thursday, March 11th, a White House Press Release announced President Biden’s next phase for vaccinating the U.S. population with the goal to have a “normal” Independence day in July. 

According to a Fact Sheet from the White House about the announcement, since Biden’s initial Covid-19 strategy was implemented in late January, over 81 million vaccinations have been delivered to Americans. In the next phase, the Biden Administration will “make every adult in the U.S. eligible for vaccination for May 1,” by directing states, tribes, and territories to make all adults above the age of 16 eligible by May 1st. 

To ensure the vaccine is actually available to those eligible, the Administration plans to increase the number of locations Americans can get vaccinated, increase the number of people providing and supporting vaccinations, and provide tools to make it easier for individuals to get a vaccine, according to the March 11th press release. 

Alison Clark, Class of 2021 and a Neuroscience major and Public Health and Chemistry Minor, said she was pleasantly surprised that the general population will be getting vaccinated this early. 

“Herd immunity is super important and I’m glad Biden has made it such a priority,” said Clark. 

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), “Herd Immunity” is “the indirect protection from an infectious disease that happens when a population is immune either through vaccination or immunity developed through previous infection.” WHO believes herd immunity should be achieved through vaccinations, not exposing people to the pathogen that causes the disease. 

Lily MacCachran, Class of 2022 and also a Public Health minor expressed similar sentiments to Clark about herd immunity. 

“This deadline is exceptional in terms of public health response and vaccine distribution,” MacCarchran said. “I was lucky to receive my COVID vaccine on March 12 because of my work, I felt overjoyed to become vaccinated and I am looking forward to seeing all Americans be eligible soon.” 

Despite Clark’s excitement about the announcement, she said she was disappointed at the variation between states. Clark was able to get her vaccine in New York before her grandmother in Massachusetts or her parents in Maine, who she said need it more than her. 

The May 1st deadline provides optimism for students attending the summer semester, though the university has not announced any official statement as to how vaccinations will impact COVID-19 protocols during the summer. 

Clark said how many SLU students on campus now have been taking the initiative to get vaccinated. 

“The SLU students are definitely taking getting vaccinated seriously which is great to see,” said Clark. “Many of my friends have been vaccinated at SUNY Potsdam.” 

MacCachran also said how important it is to keep following public health guidelines until herd immunity can be reached through vaccinations. 

“We must keep following CDC recommendations and keep our communities safe.”