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News about coronavirus in Florida and around the world is constantly emerging. It's hard to stay on top of it all but Health News Florida can help. Our responsibility is to keep you informed, and to help discern what’s important for your family as you make what could be life-saving decisions.

Second Gentleman Emhoff In Tallahassee To Begin Tour Promoting Vaccinations

Leon County Judge John Cooper on June 30, 2022, in a screen grab from The Florida Channel.
Blaise Gainey
/
The Florida Channel
Leon County Judge John Cooper on June 30, 2022, in a screen grab from The Florida Channel.

President Joe Biden announced June as the National Month of Action with a goal of getting 70 percent of Americans vaccinated for COVID. Doug Emhoff says it’s needed to get back to normal life.

Doug Emhoff, husband of Vice President Kamala Harris, was in Tallahassee on Thursday to kick off a national tour encouraging more people to get the coronavirus vaccine.

Before the discussion got underway at the Richardson-Lewis Neighborhood Medical Center, Emhoff spoke with 16-year-old Amaya Wayman as she got the COVID-19 vaccine.

"We got to see a vaccination which was very incredible of a 16-year-old teenager who I talked about why it was so important to get vaccinated not only for her own health but the health of her family, community and her neighborhood," Ehmoff said, "which is one of the best reasons to do this."

President Joe Biden announced June as the National Month of Action to try to get as many people as possible vaccinated ahead of July 4. His target is 70 percent of Americans. Emhoff says it’s needed to get back to normal life.

"Half of the adult Americans have been fully vaccinated, so were getting back to normal life as we can see," he said. "But in order to get fully back to going to sporting events and the weddings and all the stuff people want to do this summer and get back to school in the fall and go back to a movie theater, they’re not going to be able to do that unless we can get those numbers, 70 percent plus."

So far, 10.3 million people have been vaccinated in Florida, according to the Florida Department of Health.

Blaise Gainey is a Multimedia Reporter for WFSU News. Blaise hails from Windermere, Florida. He graduated from The School of Journalism at the Florida A&M University. He formerly worked for The Florida Channel, WTXL-TV, and before graduating interned with WFSU News. He is excited to return to the newsroom. In his spare time he enjoys watching sports, Netflix, outdoor activities and anything involving his daughter.