President Joe Biden during his first prime time address to the people of the United States announced that every US state will expand the inoculation criteria and all adult Americans will be eligible to get vaccinated no later than May 1.

Currently, the vaccinations are mandated by a set criteria, which is based on pre-existing health conditions, age and the degree of possible exposure to the virus. However, the to-be-announced alteration to the mandate will allow all adults in the US for a COVID-19 jab. 

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The historic step comes amid a substantial inflow of COVID-19 vaccines in the US, fueled by the Moderna, Pfizer and the recently approved Johnson & Johnson variants. 

Meanwhile, in his sombre yet optimistic speech, Biden said his administration is on track to deliver his promise of 100 million COVID-19 vaccination shots by the first 100 days and even better it by 40 days.

“When I came into office, you may recall I set a goal, and many of you said it was 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 gonna beat that goal,” Biden continued. “We are actually on track to meet the goal of 100 million in arms on my 60th day in office.”

“No other country in the world has done this,” he added. “None.”

However, the announcement comes parallel to multiple states in the US lifting COVID-19 safety protocols with the vaccination drive in full swing.  

The 46th President of the USA was also confident that thanks to the passage of the American Rescue Plan, a “majority” of K-8 schools in the country will reopen by his first 100 days in the White House.

“With the passage of the American Rescue Plan, and I thank again the House and Senate for passing it, and my announcement last month of a plan to vaccinate teachers and school staff, including bus drivers, we can accelerate [the] massive nationwide effort to reopen our schools safely and meet my goal that I stated at the same time of 100 million shots of opening a majority of K through 8 schools in my first 100 days in office,” Biden said tonight.

“This is going to be the number one priority of my new secretary of education, Miguel Cardona.”

Finally, in his ending note, Biden called on all Americans “to get vaccinated” against coronavirus when it’s their turn.

“If we do all this, if we do our part, if we do this together, by July 4th there’s a good chance you, your families and friends will be able to get together in your backyard or your neighbourhood and have a cookout and a barbecue and celebrate Independence Day,” Biden said. 

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“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.”

“This fight is far from over,” Biden reiterated. “This is not the time to let up.”

Earlier in the day, Biden signed the much-anticipated COVID-19 relief bill into law. White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki said Americans can hope to see the $1400 stimulus cheques in their bank accounts by “upcoming weekend”.