Biden celebrates moment 'millions have been waiting for' with the FDA's approval of the Pfizer vaccine - but walks out WITHOUT taking questions as Afghanistan debacle rages on
- The president spoke about FDA approval of the Pfizer vaccine
- He cheered on increased vaccination rates amid spiking infections
- But he refused questions on the chaos in Afghanistan
President Joe Biden hailed the FDA's approval of the Pfizer vaccine as the 'moment you’ve all been waiting' – as he urged Americans who have been sitting on the fence to get their vaccine shots 'today' but dodged comment on Afghanistan.
Biden spoke from the White House on the vaccine milestone as the situation in Afghanistan continued to rage, with military evacuations accelerating but thousands of Americans still seeking to leave the country.
Biden spoke directly to the 'millions' of Americans he said may have been awaiting final approval of the Pfizer jab: vaccines began going out late last year under emergency approval amid the pandemic.
'It has now happened,' Biden said. 'The moment you’ve been waiting for is here. It’s time for you go get your vaccine. Get it today,' he said.
Joe Biden urged Americans to get vaccinated amid FDA approval of the Pfizer vaccine
He pointed to a pickup in the pace of vaccinations amid a spike in hospitalizations and deaths among the unvaccinated.
'The FDA approval is the gold standard,' Biden said, amid information showing about a third of eligible Americans have declined to get the vaccine.
But he also avoided the issue that is provoking still unanswered questions, declining to respond to reporters who shouted questions about the situation at the Kabul airport.
Among the questions he didn't take: How many Americans are still stuck in the country, as the U.S. military provides security in a tense situation, with Afghan forces manning security checkpoints.
With Biden walking away from shouted questions on Afghanistan, he left it to his national security advisor, Jake Sullivan, and his press secretary to field questions.
Biden touted the 71 per cent vaccination rate, and even noted an uptick in shots in hard hit Mississippi, Louisiana, and Arkansas.
He also sought a silver lining in the reduced death rate amid the campaign to push out vaccines, saying the death rate is 'still 70 percent lower than it was last winter.'
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