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Getting a COVID-19 Vaccine Is Now Easier Than Ever

Image by Angelo Esslinger from Pixabay

The government is stepping up efforts to make COVID-19 vaccines available to everyone. USA Today looked at an unique private-public partnership launched to help meet the President’s target of getting 70% of American adults vaccinated (at least one shot) by July 4th.

Ride-share companies Uber and Lyft are currently offering free rides to vaccination sites. In addition, vaccination sites are opening at many of the nation’s largest community colleges to better serve students, staff, and local residents. In addition, state and county health departments, hospitals, and pharmacies continue to administer COVID-19 vaccines and many no longer require appointments – you can simply walk (or drive) up and get your shot. To find a location near you go to vaccines.gov.

Funds from the $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package are now being allocated to help the mass vaccination effort. Local, state, and tribal authorities can use the money, which will be provided through the Federal Emergency Management Agency, for vaccine education, to contact residents to schedule vaccination appointments, and to help employers get their employees vaccinated off-site or by setting up a pop-up vaccination clinic at work. 

The goal is to make the COVID-19 vaccine readily accessible to anyone who wants one. Joining the effort are private companies like McDonald’s which is supporting the government’s “We Can Do This” campaign. According to a report by Today, McDonald’s will use its Times Square billboard to promote vaccinations as well as introduce new packaging directing customers to a website offering information on how to protect yourself from COVID-19 and where to get the vaccine.

The Seniors Trust is committed to improving the lives of seniors by providing important information about COVID-19 and by working to improve Social Security. We urge Congress to pass the Social Security Expansion Act. This landmark piece of legislation will provide bigger monthly Social Security benefits, establish a more realistic cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for seniors, and guarantee the long-term solvency of the Social Security program.