The Political Insider

On Monday, President Joe Biden proclaimed that 98% of Americans would have to receive the COVID-19 vaccine in order for the country to “return to normal.”

While publicly receiving his own booster shot, reporters asked, “How many Americans need to be vaccinated for us to get back to normal?”

Biden answered, “97%, 98%. I think we’ll get awful close. But I’m not the scientist. I think one thing is for certain. A quarter of the country can’t go unvaccinated and us not continue to have a problem.”

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Magic Numbers

The numbers of a 97% to 98% vaccination rate among Americans strayed dramatically from numbers that Dr. Anthony Fauci has quoted. Fauci predicted back in March that herd immunity could be achieved with a vaccination rate of 70% to 85%.

There was no source given by the White House where Biden might have gotten those numbers.

According to a report from The Daily Caller, around 55% of the U.S. population is fully vaccinated as of mid-September.

With the CDC recommending booster shots of the Pfizer vaccine for those over 65, Americans in high-risk groups, and front line workers on Friday, the Biden administration is pushing more Americans to get vaccinated, especially if they received the first dose six months ago.

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Could COVID Become Like The Flu?

While the lockdowns of 2020 have not returned in most places, mask and vaccine mandates are still in effect in various places nationwide. The use of booster shots is also being debated. How long boosters might be needed, and how many will be needed, is still unclear. 

Dr. Fauci has also speculated that COVID could become a seasonal concern, much like the flu.

Back in May he stated:

“So it is conceivable that as we go on, a year or two or more from now, that during certain seasonal periods when you have respiratory-borne viruses like the flu, people might actually elect to wear masks to diminish the likelihood that you’ll spread these respiratory-borne diseases,” 

On Monday, Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla, during an appearance on ABC News said, “within a year, I think we will be able to come back to normal life.” He added that, “annual vaccinations may be necessary.”