VOA常速英语:5月底前有足够疫苗供成年美国人接种

This is VOA news. Via remote, I'm Marissa Melton. U.S. President Joe Biden has announced that thanks to a new cooperation between two drug companies, there will now be enough doses of the coronavirus vaccine available for the entire adult population in the United States by the end of May. The president added, however, that it will take longer than that to inoculate everyone and he urged people to remain vigilant by wearing masks. Mr. Biden had previously said there would be enough doses by the end of July. On Tuesday, he said the faster production of the vaccine was in part the results of an agreement by the pharmaceutical giant Merck & Co. to help manufacture the new Johnson & Johnson coronavirus vaccine. The unusual agreement between the two rivals announced on Tuesday was brokered by the White House. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the Johnson & Johnson vaccine for emergency use last week. But the company has encountered unexpected production problems.

Texas is lifting its COVID-19 mask mandate. Republican Governor Greg Abbott's announcement on Tuesday makes Texas the largest U.S. state to do away with a face-covering order. The new rule takes effect on March 10. The decision comes as governors across the United States are easing coronavirus restrictions despite warnings from health experts that the outbreak is far from over. Texas has seen a sharp plunge in cases and hospitalizations in recent weeks. More than 42,000 people have died from the virus in Texas, however. It trails only California and New York. You can keep up on our coronavirus stories and everything that we're covering at VOA at our website VOAnews.com. You're listening to VOA news.