“Drivers License” singer Olivia Rodrigo zoomed to 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. Wednesday morning (July 14) to help deliver an important message to the youth about getting vaccinated for COVID-19.
On Tuesday, President Joe Biden shared a photo of his younger self on Instagram and captioned the snap, “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?” The “Good 4 U” singer heeded his call and replied, “i’m in! see you tomorrow at the white house!”
Olivia Rodrigo is stopping by the White House today with a clear message to young people: get vaccinated. It’s the best way to keep yourself and your loved ones safe from the dangerous new COVID-19 variants. Head to https://t.co/4MYpWqXVVo to find a clinic near you.
— President Biden (@POTUS) July 14, 2021
Twenty-four hours later, the 18-year-old superstar addressed the public from the podium of the White House press room.
“I am beyond honored and humbled to be here today to help spread the message about the importance of youth vaccination,” she said. “I am in awe of the work President Biden and Dr. Fauci have done and am happy to lend my support to this important initiative. It’s important to have conversations with friends and family members, encouraging all communities to get vaccinated and actually get to a vaccination site, which you can do more easily than ever before given how many sites we have and how easy it is to find them at vaccines.gov. Thank you, [Press Secretary] Jen [Paski], for having me today, and thank you all for helping share this important message. It’s so appreciated.”
Following her quick speech, the president’s Instagram account shared another quick video message from the artist. “I’m Olivia Rodrigo, and today I’m at the White House meeting with President Biden and Dr. Fauci because it’s so important that we all get vaccinated,” she began. “It doesn’t matter if you’re young and healthy, getting the vaccine is about protecting yourself, your friends, and your family. Let’s get vaccinated!”
A White House official says that Rodrigo’s visit is part of a “continued push to get more young people vaccinated” via social media and celebrity influencers. In addition to her brief appearance in the press room, the singer-songwriter is also recording videos about why it’s important to get young people vaccinated, including answering questions people have about the coronavirus vaccines.
To date, 159.7 million people have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, according to the CDC, while 184.5 million have received at least one dose. Of the youth, 56.3% of the population who is at least 12 years of age is fully vaccinated, while 58.9% of the population who is at least 18 years of age is fully vaccinated.
Dr. Fauci told MSNBC on Tuesday that Rodrigo’s impact as a “very popular figure among young individuals” with an “enormous following” is crucial to his and President Biden’s mission to get “trusted messengers” to share the message about COVID-19 vaccinations.
Watch Rodrigo’s address from the White House and her video below.
"I am beyond honored and humbled to be here today to help spread the message about the importance of youth vaccination," Pop star Olivia Rodrigo says in the White House Briefing Room. pic.twitter.com/pC7kvunvyn
— MSNBC (@MSNBC) July 14, 2021