All American Adults To Be Made Eligible For Vaccines By May 1: President Biden

President Joe Biden said all American adults will be made eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine by May 1 and that he will direct all states, tribes and territories to do that. The president said he is on track to beat his goal of 100 million Covid shots in people's arms in his first 100 days in office by 40 days.

Biden said in his first evening address to the nation Thursday, which marked the one-year anniversary of the pandemic: "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 be 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."

The president told the nation that he is directing all U.S. states to open COVID-19 vaccine eligibility to every adult, and set a May 1 deadline for this.

COVID-19 cases are diminishing, but the pandemic is still pillaging America on many levels, the most pressing of which is the death toll -- over 1,000 people die in the country each day due to a pandemic that has led at almost 530,000 U.S. deaths.

But Biden didn't just deliver a timely speech during one of worst times in U.S. history. Instead, his address presented the most assertive and energetic timeline toward the country's reopening since the coronavirus shut the nation down.

Biden discussed key ways in which he and his administration aims to make that May 1 timeline truly authentic, like having people in more types of careers join the teams that administer the coronavirus doses. Some of the professionals that will come onboard include paramedics, dentists, and even veterinarians.

The amount of federal mass vaccination centers will also double, Biden pointed out, and there will be an extra 4,000 active duty troops taking part in the effort to inoculate America.

Biden didn't pass over his disdain for the way the previous presidential adminisration handled the pandemic. In fact, he expressed his unwavering intentions to invalidate what many felt was the divisive and apathetic way President Donald Trump and his team reacted to this national crisis. In doing so, Biden emphasized his commitment to the more proactive and urgent game plan that's actually already in place.

And he also looked ahead to Independence Day, which for him will signify even more than the immense significance of America's birth in 1776.

"After this long hard year, that will make this Independence Day something truly special where we not only mark our independence as a nation but begin to mark our independence from this virus," Biden said.

Another crucial part of his address came when he focused on where he sees education heading as the pandemic continues to present enormous challenges for teaching and learning.

He said the "majority" of K-8 schools will reopen by his first 100 days in the White House.

While sounding hopeful and optimistic in his address, Biden didn't pretend that the U.S. has moved on to greener pastures when it comes to the coranavirus.

"This fight is far from over," he insisted.

Speaking about continuing the difficult battle against COVID-19, Biden stated one of his most important points of the evening. "I will not relent until I meet this virus, but the American people: I need you," the president said. "I need every American to do their part."

Earlier in the day the president signed the massive $1.9 trillion Covid relief bill that was one of his legislative priorities.

Watch the live address here.

(This is a breaking news story and will be updated)