The U.S. has reached a concerning plateau in COVID-19 vaccination coverage, with only half of the population fully vaccinated.

There have been many campaigns encouraging individuals to go get vaccinated. There is information on the safety and efficacy of the vaccines widely available. This has not sufficed to get us to a higher vaccination rate. It is clear that giving people the choice to get vaccinated will not help us reach herd immunity.

This has left the rest of the population at risk. Not only at risk of COVID-19 infection, but at risk of being denied treatment due to the ongoing issue of lack of hospital beds, as well as discouraged and tired healthcare workers.

This is a grave public health issue. It is beyond an individual's personal beliefs about the vaccine and their right to remain unvaccinated. Only people with a verified medical issue that excludes them from eligibility should be exempt.

It's time to take action and make the COVID-19 vaccine a federal mandate.