Jill Biden, Douglas Emhoff conclude COVID-19 vaccine tour in Phoenix

PHOENIX — The spouses of the nation’s two top elected officials toured a clinic in Phoenix on Wednesday as part of the Biden administration’s nationwide tour to encourage COVID-19 vaccinations.

Jill Biden and second gentleman Douglas Emhoff visited the vaccine clinic at Isaac Middle School along with Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego, Cindy McCain and other leaders.

The trip was part of a two-day swing to large cities in Southwest states, with stops in the Dallas area and Houston on Tuesday.

First Lady Jill Biden pleads to “make the choice to please get vaccinated.” pic.twitter.com/sqZpqsaM9f

— Griselda Zetino (@GriseldaZetino) June 30, 2021

“With just a few days until the Fourth of July, Phoenix is our last stop on the vaccine month of action tour and though it’s far from the end of our effort to get every single person in America vaccinated,” Biden said.

The visit came after the White House acknowledged last week it won’t reach the goal of getting 70% of American adults vaccinated by July 4.

When the 70% goal was first announced by Biden seven weeks ago, on average more than 800,000 Americans were getting their first vaccine dose each day — down from a high of nearly 2 million per day in early April. Now that figure is below 300,000.

Outside the school, some people protested the visit, holding signs that said, “You are not welcome,” and waving pro-Donald Trump flags.

McCain, the widow of Arizona Republican Sen. John McCain, sat in the front row of the socially distanced audience of about 100 people, including tribal leaders.

President Joe Biden recently nominated her to be the U.S. representative to the U.N. Agencies for Food and Agriculture.

KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Griselda Zetino and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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