Biden administration sees 'significant' rise in vaccinations as cases surge

Biden administration sees 'significant' rise in vaccinations as cases Top White House officials highlighted a significant rise in vaccination rates on Thursday as the U.S. Justine Coleman TheHill

Top White House officials highlighted a significant rise in vaccination rates on Thursday as the U.S. endures surging COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths, especially in Florida and Texas.  

The national vaccination rate reached its highest level since early last month with 864,000 doses administered, White House coronavirus response coordinator Jeff Zients told reporters. About 585,000 of those doses were the patients' first shots, suggesting more unvaccinated people are getting the jab.

Zients stated that the vaccination rates in Louisiana, Arkansas, Missouri, Alabama, Oklahoma and Mississippi have hit levels not seen since April. 

“Importantly, we're seeing the most significant increases in the states with the highest case rates,” Zients said. “We've more than doubled the average number of people newly vaccinated each day over the past three weeks in the states with the highest case rates.”

The rise in vaccinations comes as the country struggles with COVID-19 — almost 83 percent of counties have “substantial” or “high” viral transmission.  ...