PORTAGE, Mich. — President Joe Biden is making his first visit to Michigan since his election to tour the Pfizer vaccine-manufacturing facility in Portage.
The city of Portage is beaming with pride that President Biden is stepping foot right in Portage today.
Mayor Patricia Randall confirms to FOX 17 that Governor Whitmer will join President Biden during the tour of the facility.
"We in the City of Portage will do everything we can to help expedite the COVID vaccine release to the public at large or the vaccine release, and you know, we have people working 24-7," said Randall.
"Pfizer has shortened the process from 100 days down to 60," she said. "We just need help with logistics getting this out and to the places that can distribute it and into the arms of people."
This is the president’s second trip for White House business; his first was Wednesday to Wisconsin.
President Biden’s plan is to visit with workers inside this facility who are helping to produce the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine.
We also spoke to the Portage City Manager, Joe La Margo, who says this is a big moment for the city.
"This is really incredible, we're so excited about this actually, not only is the city just really excited, I think we're more excited for the employees of Pfizer, because it's well deserved," said La Margo.
"The sacrifices that they've made over this past year, you know, being away from their families just working on this vaccine all year aggressively working on it, and getting something done within you know, what, eight, nine months is just incredible and I'm glad that the President's coming, recognizing them, and really showing how valuable they really are," La Margo said.
Visiting these workers today is so timely because it comes days after the Biden administration announced their goal of making 400 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine available by the end of May and 600 million doses of the vaccine available by the end of July.
This is more doses than the Biden administration has ever promised during this pandemic.
Stay with FOX 17 for live coverage throughout the day on the President's visit to West Michigan.
