Remarks as Prepared for Delivery by First Lady Jill Biden at a Visit to Conrad High School Vaccination Clinic

Dallas, Texas

Thank you, Jeffar, for that very kind introduction—and for getting vaccinated in front of all of us to show how fast and easy it is to get the Covid-19 vaccine. And I love that your teammates came to support you. Thank you to the team.  

Let me begin with a moment of recognition and prayer for the tragedy in Florida. The President and I are grieving alongside the community of Surfside. Joe and I are going to be going there on Thursday to try to help comfort those families. So if you can find it in your hearts today, if you could just take a couple minutes and say a prayer for those families, that they have the strength to get through this. Thank you for that.  

Congresswoman Johnson, it’s great to be back in Dallas with you.  Your friendship is everything to me and to Joe, and we look forward to the work we will continue to do together.  

Emmitt—it’s so thrilling—really—to have you with us today. From your Hall of Fame career to your work supporting education for students, you are a true American treasure. 

Mayor Johnson and Judge Jenkins, thank you for leading Dallas through the most challenging year in a generation. It’s an honor to be here in Dallas with you. 

Schools aren’t just places of learning; they are the hearts of our communities. And we see that today, with this school doing its part to offer vaccinations to everyone aged 12 and over.  

So, thank you, Principal Asmerom, for welcoming us to your school.  

Do you remember how quiet the streets were a year ago? Remember the empty grocery aisles? And just how uncertain and lonely so many of us felt? 

Today, we’re finally getting back those things we lost: hugging the people we love, catching up with friends face to face, smiling at strangers. 

But as far as we’ve come, we’re not done yet.  

Right now, only 40% of Texans are fully vaccinated. And that’s just not enough. Which is why I wanted to come here today. Because your lives and your health matter to me and to your President.  

So, I’m here to ask you to make the choice to get vaccinated.  Getting vaccinated is safe, effective, and free. 

Number one: It’s safe.  

There’s misinformation out there—and people have come up to me and asked: Has it been tested enough? Can I trust the science?  

Yes, it is safe. 

The vaccines have been rigorously tested and millions of Americans have already received their shots. 

Number two: It’s effective. Studies show that vaccines are the best way to protect against death or hospitalization from COVID-19. 

Number three: It’s free.  

So, I get it, maybe with work and family, you don’t think you have time to go to a clinic. But most places don’t require appointments—you can just walk up and get your shot. And Uber and Lyft are offering free rides.  

No matter where you live, there is a vaccination site close by. Just go to “Vaccines-dot-gov” to find one.   

If you still have questions—that’s okay! Talk to your doctor. This is your choice—so get the information you need.  

And, they don’t hurt. I promise, I barely felt mine. And I hate needles!  

I’m so grateful that organizations around Dallas have stepped up to encourage people to get vaccinated—like Six Flags Over Texas which is providing 20,000 free park passes to those getting vaccinated. That includes everyone getting their shot here today! 

The Fourth of July is almost here, and I’m so excited to be able to come back together. Aren’t you?  

From barbeques to baseball games to boardwalks full of laughing children, summer has never felt more full of promise. The fresh air smells sweeter without our masks. The time with our loved ones feels more precious now that we know it could be lost. The bonds of our community feel stronger because we carried each other through the darkest times.  

That’s what we do as Americans. It’s who we are: people who take care of our neighbors and friends.  

People who know that, together, there is no challenge we can’t face—no obstacle we can’t soar above.  

So, do your part. Choose to get your Covid-19 vaccination. Do it for your health. Do it for your children. Do it for your grandparents and your neighbors.  

And we’ll all be able celebrate this holiday the way it should be: safe and together. 

God bless you, Dallas, and go get vaccinated!  

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