The US has administered more than 101 million Covid-19 vaccinations, the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention announced on Friday.
It marks a milestone for the country that has the highest death toll in the world, three months into a massive vaccination programme.
About 10.5 per cent of the adult population in the US has been fully vaccinated, the agency said, and almost 20 per cent – 65 million people – have had at least one dose.
The two-dose Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines and the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine are being used throughout the country.
The agency says more than 133 million vaccines have been distributed to US states.
When he introduced key members of his health team on December 8 last year, President Joe Biden set a goal of reaching 100 million vaccinations in his first 100 days.
The Biden administration has continued to bump up orders from vaccine makers, including a recent order of another 100 million shots from Johnson & Johnson.
Mr Biden announced Thursday night in his first national prime time address that there will be enough vaccines for the entire US adult population by the end of May.
He also ordered all states to open up vaccination eligibility before May 1, moving beyond the first groups of people at high risk of suffering severe effects of Covid-19 and essential workers.
"I need you, the American people, I need you," Mr Biden said. "I need every American to do their part.
"And that's not hyperbole. I need you. I need you to get vaccinated when it's your turn and when you can find an opportunity. And to help your family, your friends, your neighbours get vaccinated as well."
Mr Biden's goal is to move the country "closer to normal" by July 4, the nation's independence day.
Scientists suggest herd immunity requires at least 80 per cent of the US population to be fully vaccinated.
"America is coming back," he said.
"The development, manufacturing and distribution of vaccines in record time is a true miracle of science. It's one of the most extraordinary achievements any country has ever accomplished."
The US has recorded more than 531,000 deaths from Covid-19, according to Johns Hopkins University.
The country also leads the world with the most known cases, at about 30 million infections.
Mr Biden continues to emphasise caution amid the vaccine race.
While hospital admissions and infections are declining, the US still records more than 60,000 infections daily – similar to levels seen during the country's summer surge in 2020.
Between 1,500 and 1,800 people are dying from Covid-19 in the US each day.
"We need everyone to keep washing their hands, stay socially distanced and keep wearing the mask," he said.
Several states are taking steps towards reopening at levels not seen before in the pandemic, while fears persist of a possible small fourth surge.
Public health officials are keeping an eye on some variants with higher transmissibility, which are growing in number nationwide.
"This is not the time to let up," Mr Biden said. "Just as we were emerging from a dark winter into a hopeful spring and summer, it is not the time to not stick with the rules."
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Gothia Cup 2025
4,872 matches
1,942 teams
116 pitches
76 nations
26 UAE teams
15 Lebanese teams
2 Kuwaiti teams
Going grey? A stylist's advice
If you’re going to go grey, a great style, well-cared for hair (in a sleek, classy style, like a bob), and a young spirit and attitude go a long way, says Maria Dowling, founder of the Maria Dowling Salon in Dubai.
It’s easier to go grey from a lighter colour, so you may want to do that first. And this is the time to try a shorter style, she advises. Then a stylist can introduce highlights, start lightening up the roots, and let it fade out. Once it’s entirely grey, a purple shampoo will prevent yellowing.
“Get professional help – there’s no other way to go around it,” she says. “And don’t just let it grow out because that looks really bad. Put effort into it: properly condition, straighten, get regular trims, make sure it’s glossy.”
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Bombshell
Director: Jay Roach
Stars: Nicole Kidman, Charlize Theron, Margot Robbie
Four out of five stars
Venom
Director: Ruben Fleischer
Cast: Tom Hardy, Michelle Williams, Riz Ahmed
Rating: 1.5/5
RESULTS
Manchester United 2
Anthony Martial 30'
Scott McTominay 90 6'
Manchester City 0
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Also on December 7 to 9, the third edition of the Gulf Car Festival (www.gulfcarfestival.com) will take over Dubai Festival City Mall, a new venue for the event. Last year's festival brought together about 900 cars worth more than Dh300 million from across the Emirates and wider Gulf region – and that first figure is set to swell by several hundred this time around, with between 1,000 and 1,200 cars expected. The first day is themed around American muscle; the second centres on supercars, exotics, European cars and classics; and the final day will major in JDM (Japanese domestic market) cars, tuned vehicles and trucks. Individuals and car clubs can register their vehicles, although the festival isn’t all static displays, with stunt drifting, a rev battle, car pulls and a burnout competition.
25%20Days%20to%20Aden
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