During his remarks on COVID-19 vaccines for children under 5 years old, President Joe Biden alarmed listeners when he brought up a “second pandemic”.
A reporter had asked Biden what spending the U.S. government is prepared to do in order to roll out more vaccines and maintain the infrastructure necessary to combat COVID-19.
“I know you’re looking for more money from Congress for this vaccine campaign and for COVID funding going into the fall,” the reporter said.
“How much of the supply of vaccines for these small children is there and how many of the nation’s kids will you be able to get vaccinated before you need more money from Congress?” he asked.
Last week, the CDC and FDA authorized emergency use of the COVID-19 vaccine for kids 6 months and older.
“We’ll get through at least this year,” Biden responded. “We do need more money”.
“But we don’t just need more money for vaccines for children eventually. We need more money to plan for the second pandemic,” he continued.
“There’s going to be another pandemic. We have to think ahead,” he added.
He then blamed the Trump administration, saying “And that’s not something the last outfit did very well. That’s something we’ve been doing fairly well – that’s why we need the money”.
Many Twitter users commented about Biden’s remarks and possible interference with the upcoming election.
Lawyer and podcast host Phil Holloway joked, “Any idea when? I would like to stock up on toilet paper a little better next time”.