Remarks as Prepared for Delivery by First Lady Jill Biden at a Visit to Isaac Middle School for COVID-19 Vaccination Efforts
Phoenix, Arizona
Thank you, Doug. This is actually our first official trip together. Usually, we divide and conquer, but today our message is so important that we wanted to come to Phoenix together. I always love when we get to do things together, so there’s going to be a lot more of this. We’re going to keep going, right Doug?
Before I begin, I’d like to take a moment of recognition and prayer for the tragedy in Florida. The President and I are grieving alongside the community of Surfside, and our hearts are broken for the families. So if you could take a moment of your day today, and just say a prayer to give them strength. Thank you.
Mayor, you helped bring Phoenix through one of the worst periods in history. Thank you for hosting us today and for your leadership. We appreciate it.
I was in Arizona this past April to visit the Navajo Nation, and thank you, President Nez, for that warm welcome that you gave to me and for joining us today along with the tribal leadership represented by Chairman Norris, Chairman Manuel, Chairman Rambler, and Governor Lewis. Thank you for all being here today.
And thank you to Congressman Gallego and Sydney for being here as well.
No matter where I go, I always feel most at home when I visit schools. They 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 help make sure everyone 12 and over can get vaccinated.
So, thank you, Principal Sotomayor, for welcoming us to Isaac Middle School.
With just a few days until the 4th of July, Phoenix is our last stop on the vaccine month of action tour, although it’s far from the end of our effort to get every single person in America vaccinated. I think you’ll see a lot of me and Doug out on the road this summer, because we’re not stopping.
It’s hard to believe how far we’ve come from this point last year. Do you remember how quiet the streets were? 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. The little things that we took for granted for so long.
But as far as we’ve come, we’re not done yet.
As Doug referenced, right now, only 40% of Arizonans are fully vaccinated. And that’s just not enough. Which is why Doug and I wanted to come here today. Because your lives and your health matter to the President, to the Vice President, to Doug, and to me.
So, I’m here to ask the viewers on these TV stations to please make the choice to get vaccinated.
Because it’s safe, as Doug said.
There’s misinformation out there—and people have come up to me and asked: Has it been tested enough? Can I trust the science?
I’m here to say: Yes. Yes, you can. Yes, it is safe. The vaccines have been rigorously tested and millions of Americans have already received their shots.
Because it’s effective. Studies show that vaccines are the best way to protect against death or hospitalization from COVID-19.
And because it’s free.
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 if you don’t have a car, Uber and Lyft are offering free rides.
No matter where you are, there is a vaccination site close by. Just go to “Vaccines-dot-gov” to find one.
If you still have questions—that’s OK! 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!
The Fourth of July is almost here, and I’m so excited to be able to come back together. And I know you are too.
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 just what we as Americans do. 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 the COVID-19 vaccine. 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.
Now, before I end, I saw that today is the eighth anniversary of the deadly Yarnell Hill fire. Cindy, I can remember you and John being there at the funeral and how devastating it was to meet with those families. So my heart, and Joe’s heart, and I know all of your hearts are with the surviving families. So please, keep them in your prayers.
God bless you, Phoenix, and please go get vaccinated! Happy 4th of July.
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