President Biden speaks before signing the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act on June 17. Photo: Oliver Contreras/Sipa/Bloomberg via Getty Images
President Biden announced Friday that 300 million coronavirus shots have been administered in the United States in the last 150 days.
The big picture: More than 175 million Americans have gotten at least one COVID-19 vaccine shot and infection rates, as well as deaths, have decreased by more than 90%, according to the White House.
- The president's announcement comes less than one month before July 4, which Biden had previously set as the goal to get 160 million Americans fully vaccinated and 70% to have received at least one shot.
By the numbers: 65% of American adults have received at least one shot, and 55% of adults are fully vaccinated.
- 87% of seniors and 74% of adults 40 and over have received at least one shot.
- At least 70% of adults have gotten at least one shot in 15 states and Washington, D.C.
- 26 states and D.C. have fully vaccinated 50% or more of adults.
What he's saying: "We're heading into, God willing, the summer of joy, the summer of freedom," Biden said.
- "On July 4, we're going to celebrate our independence from the virus as we celebrate [the] independence of our nation."
Yes, but: Biden urged Americans who are not yet vaccinated to receive the vaccine, warning of the more infectious variant — known as B.1.617.2 (or Delta) — which is spreading throughout the country, Axios' Alison Snyder and Eileen Drage O'Reilly report.