Nation hits 70 percent vaccination goal amid surging Delta variant

The United States on Monday hit the Biden administration’s goal of administering at least one Covid-19 vaccine dose to 70 percent of American adults, reaching the milestone just shy of one month late.

White House Covid-19 Data Director Cyrus Shahpar announced the milestone on Twitter, disclosing that the seven-day average of newly vaccinated Americans is at its highest point since July 4. In the Tweet, Shahpar said at least 70 percent of adults have gotten at least one shot.

The Biden administration spent weeks touting its much-publicized goal of hitting the 70 percent vaccination mark by the July Fourth holiday, a date the White House nonetheless celebrated as something of a return to normal for a pandemic-weary nation. Even after the nation fell short of his vaccination goal, President Joe Biden hosted a celebratory barbecue at the White House for military members, frontline workers and first responders.