Dentists and vets will be able to administer vaccine, Biden announces in first nationwide address
President hopes expanding list of vaccination professionals will help speed up process nationwide
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Dentists and vets will be able to administer the Covid vaccine, Joe Biden announced in his first nationwide address as president.
Mr Biden also announced that he is ordering all states to open up vaccine eligibility to all adults by 1 May.
The president used 4 July as a target date for all Americans to be able to gather in small groups of family and friends.
Biden says US should be ‘closer to normal’ by 4 July as he unveils new Covid targets in first nationwide address
The Latest: Biden wants all adults vaccine-eligible by May 1
Biden address to nation - live: Covid checks to arrive by weekend, amid claims of Trump indictment ‘in days’
Joe Biden signs $1.9 trillion Covid package into law in historic bid to slash poverty
Mr Biden’s address to the nation came just hours after he signed into law a $1.9 trillion stimulus package.
He laid out the steps the administration believes will make the 1 May date achievable, including expanding the types of professionals able to administer vaccine shots.
Dentists, veterinarians and paramedics will all be included in the new approved list.
More than 29.3 million Americans have tested positive for Covid during the pandemic, and 530,000 deaths have been caused by the virus.
Ahead of the address Mr Biden took to Twitter to post an emotional video about the impact of the pandemic on American life and how the country will rally from it.
“The last year has tested us in unimaginable ways, but there is light at the end of the tunnel. We will emerge stronger,” he tweeted.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments