Biden vows 100 million vaccines given in first 100 days

WASHINGTON

US President-elect Joe Biden vowed Tuesday to have 100 million coronavirus vaccines administered within the first 100 days of his administration.

Addressing reporters in his home state of Delaware Biden cautioned against expecting a quick recovery from the pandemic, saying that in his first 100 days he is going to ask for people to universally don face coverings and will sign an order on day one to require their wearing wherever he can under the law.

That would include all federal buildings, interstate plane, train and bus travel, and work with state governors and local mayors to do the same in their jurisdictions. Still, he acknowledged that much of any prospective progress would be contingent on the actions of individuals.

"We did not get into this mess quickly. We're not going to get out of it quickly," he said. "We need your help. Wear a mask for just 100 days. It's the easiest thing you can do to reduce COVID cases, hospitalizations and deaths. Help yourself, your family and your community. Whatever your politics or point of view, mask up for 100 days once we take office."

Both of the vaccine candidates expected to receive approval within the coming weeks require two separate doses spaced out weeks apart. That means the 100 million doses referenced by Biden would go to about 50 million people.

The US outbreak has spiraled out of control with daily infections and death hit record highs.

More than 192,000 cases and 1,400 deaths were recorded Monday, according to data being tallied by Johns Hopkins University.

Over 15 million confirmed cases have been recorded in the US, as well as over 285,000 deaths, since the outbreak began early in 2020.