President Joe Biden announced that he would be directing every state to allow all adults to start receiving the COVID-19 vaccine starting May 1.

During Thursday's primetime address, Biden also said he is deploying 4,000 more military troops to help get people vaccinated. He made a similar announcement last week, stating that the U.S. would have enough vaccines for every American adult by the end of May.

The president hopes that if the public continues to adhere to COVID safety measures and eligible residents get vaccinated, families can gather in small groups in time for the Fourth of July celebrations.

"That will make this Independence Day something truly special, where we not only mark our independence as a nation but we begin to mark our independence from this virus," he said. "But to get there, we can't let our guard down. This virus is far from over."

However, none of Biden's promises mean that all American adults who want the vaccine will have it by the end of May. What it does mean is that U.S. adults will be eligible and can get in line to receive it.

In the meantime, Monterey County is pushing forward with the next phase of vaccinations.

As of Monday, the county received 92,460 doses of the vaccine from the state. Roughly 79,957 of those doses were administered. And 18% of the county's population 18 and older have received at least one dose of the vaccine, according to Monterey County Vaccine Data.

Starting Wednesday, the county will start vaccinating people ages 16 to 64 who have an underlying health condition or disability that increases their risk for severe COVID-19. This includes those with cancer, heart conditions, kidney disease, and those with a body mass index of 40 or greater. Here is a full list of the eligible conditions.

The state is also expected to expand eligibility to utility workers, emergency first responders, and janitors.

Currently, Monterey County is vaccinating those 65 and older and those at risk of exposure at work in the following industries: education and child care, emergency services, and food and agriculture. This is considered Phase 1B of the vaccination plan.

Hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies across the county are offering vaccine appointments to eligible residents. To check eligibility or to make an appointment, visit the state's MyTurn website or the county's vaccine website.

Farmworkers over the age of 65 started receiving their vaccinations in late February thanks in part to a partnership between the Grower-Shipper Association of Central California and Clinica de Salud del Valle de Salinas. You can read more about that here.

Angelica Cabral is a journalist and podcaster for The Californian covering a wide variety of topics from movies filmed in Monterey County to how much political candidates have fundraised. Have a tip for an interesting story? Email her at [email protected].

www.thecalifornian.com/story/news/2021/03/12/biden-vaccine-announcement-monterey-county/4671830001/