Biden offers to help mother get vaccine for her sick son at Wisconsin CNN town hall
President said he would stay after event to help out Kerri Engebrecht’s family
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Joe Biden told a Wisconsin mum he would wait around after his TV town hall to try and help get her sick teenage son a Covid vaccine.
The president was moved by Kerri Engebrecht when she told him her 19-year-old son, who has pediatric chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and breathing difficulty, did not yet qualify for a jab.
His mother explained that he had even removed himself form university to protect his health until he could get vaccinated.
And she asked the president if he had a plan to get vulnerable people the shot sooner than others.
“The states make the decisions about who gets it in what order. I can make recommendations and for federal programmes I can do that a president of the United States,” said Mr Biden.
“I can’t tell the state to move such and such a group up.”
Mr Biden then made his offer to help, which got a round applause from the audience.
“Here is what I’d like to do, if you are willing, I will stay around after this is over and we can talk for a few minutes and see if I can get you some help,” he said.
Mr Biden also reassured a mother and her young child about the likelihood of the youngster getting Covid-19, telling the 8-year-old she was part of the “safest group of people in the whole world.”
“Don’t be scared, honey. Don’t be scared. You’re going to be fine, and we’re going to make sure mummy’s fine, too,” he said.
“Kids don’t get Covid very often. It’s unusual for that to happen. They don’t — the evidence so far is children aren’t the people most likely to get Covid.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments