Joe Biden has said he is hopeful speeding up US Covid-19 vaccination efforts will allow Americans to gather in small groups on the fourth of July to celebrate a “truly special” independence day.
He also said in his first primetime address since becoming president he would order the states to make all adults eligible for jabs by 1st May, with eligibility currently based on age and health conditions.
Biden announced moves to increase vaccinations, including lifting eligibility qualifications, deploying an additional 4,000 active-duty troops to support vaccination efforts and allowing more people to deliver vaccinataions.
The New York Times has reported that tens of millions of doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine are sitting unused in American manufacturing facilities.
Countries in the EU have approved the vaccine, but the company has consistently failed to honour its contract.