UPDATE: Biden speech directs states to make all American adults eligible for vaccines by May 1st

https://www.nytimes.com/live/2021/03/11/us/joe-biden-news#biden-directs-states-to-make-all-adult-americans-eligible-for-vaccine-by-may-1

President Biden on Thursday evening directed states to make all adult Americans eligible to receive coronavirus vaccines no later than May 1, using a somber but hopeful prime-time address to the nation to say Americans may be able to “mark our independence from this virus” by the Fourth of July.

Mr. Biden offered a renewed sense of optimism as he recognized the one-year anniversary since the World Health Organization declared the spread of the virus a global pandemic, which plunged the nation and the world into health and economic crises. With continued vigilance, he said, families and friends may be able to gather to celebrate the nation’s independence.

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

He warned that a return to normal this summer would require the public to continue to wear masks, social distance and sign up to be vaccinated. His order to eliminate the current prioritization of vaccine eligibility is a reflection, his aides said, of the administration’s confidence that there will soon be enough vaccine for everyone. ...

Mr. Biden announced a series of new actions to speed up vaccinations, including new federal mass vaccination sites, an expanded partnership with pharmacies to distribute the vaccine, and the use of dentists, veterinarians, medical students and others to actually deliver the shots.

The federal government will also open a website on May 1 to allow Americans to find out where the vaccine is available. ...