False: President Joe Biden said the COVID-19 vaccine will be mandatory in the U.S.

By: Shashi M
May 5 2021

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Biden asked state and local governments to urge their citizens to take the vaccine, but he did not mandate it. On December 5, 2020, President Joe Biden said that he doesn't believe that COVID-19 vaccinations should be mandatory but strongly encouraged people to take the vaccine if it is offered to them. "I don't think they should be mandatory. I wouldn't demand it to be mandatory, but I would do everything in my power [to encourage people to get the vaccine]," Biden told reporters at a news conference in Wilmington, Delaware On March 11, 2021, Biden announced that the White House would order state and local governments to make all American adults eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine by May 1. He did not state that vaccines would be mandatory but urged eligible people to take them. During his address, Biden encouraged "every American to do their part to beat this virus." Biden added that he aims to make small social gatherings possible by July 4, 2021. While addressing in State Union Biden announced the launch of a new website designed to help people find vaccine centers close o them and to provide more information on vaccinations. On 30 April, Biden was asked in an interview with NBC news if he should make the vaccine mandatory for military troops. According to Politico, almost a third of service members have declined the vaccine. Biden said it would be "a tough call" and said he would leave the decision to the military. Biden has strongly encouraged all U.S. citizens to get vaccinated but has not suggested it should be mandatory at any point.