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US President Joe Biden has promised every American adult will be eligible to be vaccinated for the coronavirus by the beginning of May, “much earlier” than previously expected.
Mr Biden delivered his first prime time address to the nation as President this evening, focusing on the state of the pandemic and the effort to get Americans vaccinated.
He spoke at some length about the importance of national unity, though he did also have one subtle dig at his predecessor, Donald Trump, who yesterday claimed Americans would not have got the vaccines for “five years at best” if he hadn’t been in office throughout 2020.
“I hope everyone remembers!” Mr Trump said in an official statement.
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Mr Biden started, as he usually does, by acknowledging America’s horrendous coronavirus death toll, which currently stands at 530,000.
As he turned to the vaccination effort, his tone became more optimistic.
“When I came into office, you may recall, I set a goal that many of you said was kind of way over the top,” he said.
“I said I intended to get 100 million shots in people’s arms in my first 100 days in office.
“Tonight, I can say we’re not only going to meet that goal, we’re going to beat that goal. Because we’re actually on track to reach this goal on my 60th day in office.
“No other country in the world has done this. None.”
Mr Biden’s claim that people thought his 100-day target was “way over the top” – something he repeats frequently – is false. Some reporting described the goal as “challenging”, while some suggested it was not ambitious enough.
“Tonight, I am announcing that I will direct all states to make all adults, people 18 and over, eligible to be vaccinated no later than May 1,” the President continued.
“Let me say that again. All adult Americans will be eligible to get a vaccine no later than May 1. That’s much earlier than expected.
“And let me be clear. That doesn’t mean everyone’s going to have that shot immediately. But it means you’ll be able to get in line on May 1.
“To do this, we’re going to go from a million shots a day that I promised in December, to maintaining (beating) our current pace of two million a day.”
Mr Biden issued a further promise that, from that point at the start of May, the government would have “new tools” up and running to help people find places to get the vaccines.
“No more searching day and night for an appointment for you and your loved ones,” he said.
Next he turned to the passage of his $US1.9 trillion COVID relief package, which was approved by Congress yesterday. The President signed it into law in the Oval Office earlier today.
Mr Biden said the package would help “accelerate a massive nationwide effort” to reopen schools safely.
“This is going to be the number one priority of my new Secretary of Education,” he said.
“In the coming weeks, we will issue further guidance on what you can and cannot do once fully vaccinated, to lessen the confusion, keep people safe and encourage more people to get vaccinated.”
That last part, about removing “confusion” around the vaccines and building public trust in their safety, featured heavily in the second half of the speech.
It was on that subject that Mr Biden took an implicit shot at Mr Trump.
“Vice President Harris and I know they’re safe. That’s why we got the vaccine publicly, in front of the cameras, for the world to see. So you could see us do it,” he said.
“The First Lady and the Second Gentleman also got vaccinated (publicly).”
Earlier this month, it emerged that Mr Trump and his wife, former first lady Melania Trump, both got vaccinated in secret in January, during their last weeks in the White House.
The then-president’s vaccination was never announced, let alone performed publicly.
Back to the speech. Mr Biden set a new goal of allowing Americans to gather with their families for the Independence Day holiday on July 4.
“I promise I will do everything in my power. I will not relent until we beat this virus. And I need you, the American people, I need you. I need every American to do your part. That’s not hyperbole, I need you,” he said.
“I need you to get vaccinated when it’s your turn and you can find an opportunity. And to help your family, your friends, your neighbours get vaccinated as well.
“If we do all this, if we do our part, if we do this together, by July 4 there’s a good chance you, your families and friends will be able to get together in your backyard or in your neighbourhood, and have a cookout or a barbecue, and celebrate Independence Day.
“That doesn’t mean large events with lots of people together, but it does mean small groups will be able to get together. After this long, hard year, that will make this Independence Day something truly special.
“Where we not only mark our independence as a nation, but we begin to mark our independence from this virus.
“To get there, we can’t let our guard down. This fight is far from over. But July 4 with your loved ones is the goal. But a goal – a lot can happen. Conditions can change. The scientists have made clear that things may get worse again as new variants of the virus spread.
“We’ve got work to do.”
He wrapped things up by hammering home the importance of remaining vigilant.
“Talk to your family, your friends, your neighbours, the people you know best who’ve gotten the vaccine. We need everyone to get vaccinated. We need everyone to keep washing their hands, stay socially distanced, and keep wearing masks as recommended,” said Mr Biden.
“Even if we devote every resource we have, beating this virus and getting back to normal depends on national unity. And national unity isn’t just how politics and politicians vote in Washington, or what the loudest voices say on cable or online. Unity is what we do together as fellow Americans.
“If we don’t stay vigilant, and conditions change, then we may have to reinstate restrictions to get back on track. Please, we don’t want to do that again. We’ve made so much progress, now is not the time to let up.”
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