Psaki Falls Giving Trump More Credit Will Increase Vaccine Rate

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Psaki on Monday dismissed the notion that Trump’s lack of credit is hampering vaccine rates. She cited data showing misinformation and conspiracy theories boosting vaccine hesitancy. The recent rise in COVID-19 cases and deaths has been linked to delta type and unvaccinated people. See more stories on the Insider Business page.

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki backed down on Monday when asked if giving former President Donald Trump more credit for rolling out a COVID-19 vaccine would help increase the vaccination rate among hesitant people.

Psaki was asked during Monday’s White House press conference if the Biden administration would consider doing more to acknowledge Trump’s role in creating vaccines to reassure rural voters who supported the former president that it was safe to get the vaccine.

“You’re drawing some conclusions there that I haven’t seen in the data,” Psaki replied.

The White House press secretary said data pointing to misinformation about the COVID-19 vaccine — including a conspiracy theory that microchips are in the vaccine — are the reason behind the persistent reluctance among Republican voters to go for vaccinations.

On Monday, Psaki was also asked if President Joe Biden might call Trump and ask for help with vaccine awareness. She said the administration did not feel this was necessary, but welcomed anyone using their platform to promote vaccination.

Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) Jul 19, 2021

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as well as top public health experts across the country, have repeatedly emphasized that COVID-19 vaccines available to Americans are safe and effective. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention urged people to get vaccinated as soon as possible.

Millions of Americans have been vaccinated, but there has recently been a rise in reported cases and deaths from the virus fueled by the highly contagious Delta type and people who are not immunized

“This has become a vulnerable epidemic,” Dr. Rochelle Wallinsky, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said Friday.

“Our biggest concern is that we will continue to see preventable cases, hospitalizations, and unfortunately deaths among the unvaccinated,” Walinsky added, noting that unvaccinated people account for 97% of hospital admissions due to COVID-19.

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