Singer and Disney star Olivia Rodrigo will meet Biden and Fauci at the White House on Wednesday to urge young people to get vaccinated as White House bid to get shots in arms stalls
Pop star Olivia Rodrigo, 18, will be at the White House on Wednesday as the administration brings in some star power to help get COVID vaccine shots in the arms of younger Americans.
The actress, singer and songwriter will meet President Joe Biden and Dr. Anthony Fauci, the president's chief medical officer who has become a popular public figure during the pandemic.
During her visit Rodrigo will 'record videos about the importance of young people getting vaccinated, including answering important questions young people have about getting vaccinated,' a White House official said.
The White House has ramped up its efforts to shots in the arms of 18- to 29-year-olds, the age group that has the lowest vaccination rate.
Rodrigo, a Disney star with a popular singing career among young people, is part of that effort.
The videos she records at the White House will be posted on her own social media channels - where she has more than 28 million followers - and on the White House accounts.
'The Good for You' singer announced her visit to the White House by commenting on one of Biden's Instagram posts on Tuesday morning.
Pop star Olivia Rodrigo, 18, will be at the White House on Wednesday as the administration brings in some star power to help get COVID vaccine shots in the arms of younger Americans
Olivia Rodrigo announced her visit to the White House by commenting on one of Biden's Instagram posts on Tuesday morning
The White House posted a pic of a young Joe Biden on the POTUS Instagram account with the caption: 'I know this young person would’ve gotten vaccinated, but we’ve got to get other young people protected as well. Who’s willing to help?'
Rodrigo responded: 'I'm in! see you tomorrow at the white house!'
'You bet,' POTUS replied.
Rodrigo was active for Biden during the 2020 presidential campaign. In October of last year, she interviewed Maisy Biden, Biden's granddaughter, on her YouTube channel.
The White House has offered multiple incentives for young people to get vaccinated, including free beer, cash prizes, and free lifts on ride sharing apps.
Fauci has also participated in several Tik Tok QAs with young influencers to try and dispel any myths or concerns about the vaccines.
Many young people are don't see the urgency in getting vaccinated due to the low risk of their getting a severe case of COVID, the conflicting information about vaccines on social media, and a general sense of feeling invincible, public health experts say.
The White House missed its goal of having 70% of adult Americans partially vaccinated by July 4th because of the reluctance among younger Americans to get vaccinated.
The latest White House push comes as COVID cases are on the rise across parts of the United States.
A total of 43 states and the District of Columbia are seeing their numbers of COVID-19 infections increase, according to data from John Hopkins University
The U.S. is now recording an average of 23,000 COVID-19 cases per day, which is the highest figure seen since late May
The majority of states are seeing a spike in COVID-19 infections as variants of the virus continue to spread, driving up case numbers in areas with low vaccination rates.
A total of 43 states and the District of Columbia have documented an increase in average daily cases over the past two weeks, according to a DailyMail.com analysis of data from Johns Hopkins University.
Of those states, at least 15, most of them in the South, have seen their numbers of infections at least double across a 14-day period.
The U.S. is now recording an average of 23,000 COVID-19 cases per day, which is the highest figure seen since late May, the analysis found.
Health experts warn that the worrying increase in cases is linked to the Delta variant, which accounts for as many 97 percent of infections in some states.