Biden is hosting a July 4th 'independence from virus' celebration although the US is on track to narrowly miss his vaccination goal

• The White House is planning to host a cookout for more than 1,000 first responders, essential workers, and military personnel on Independence Day.
• While COVID-19 cases and deaths have dropped steadily as a result of widespread vaccination, the country still hasn't met the administration's goals.
• The US is set to narrowly miss Biden's goal to have at least 70% of adults partially vaccinated by July 4.

The White House is planning a cookout for more than 1,000 first responders, essential workers, and military personnel and their families on the South Lawn on Independence Day. The July 4 celebration, which will include fireworks over the National Mall, will be the biggest gathering President Joe Biden has hosted so far.

The White House also invited state and local governments to host their own July 4 events "to honor our freedom, salute those who have been serving on the frontlines, and celebrate our progress in fighting this pandemic," according to an email obtained by the Associated Press.

"America is headed into a summer dramatically different from last year," the administration wrote in the message to state and local officials. "A summer of freedom. A summer of joy. A summer of reunions and celebrations."

While COVID-19 cases and deaths have dropped steadily as a result of widespread vaccination, the country still hasn't met the administration's goals. The US is set to narrowly miss Biden's goal to have at least 70% of adults partially vaccinated by July 4.

About 65% of adults - roughly 174.2 million people - have received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the US is on track to grow that number to 68% by July 4. About 52% of the entire US population has received their first dose.

The rate of vaccinations has dropped off in recent weeks. About 370,000 Americans are now receiving a dose every day on average, down from a daily peak of about 2 million. Even if the country as a whole reaches the 70% goal next month, at least 30 states are expected to come up short of that number. While a few states, including Vermont and Hawaii, have reached vaccination rates over 80%, some of the most politically conservative states in the country are lagging far behind due to vaccine hesitancy and a lack of demand for shots.

Experts say between 70% and 90% of the entire population (including children) needs to be fully vaccinated or otherwise immune to COVID-19 in order to reach herd immunity, and they worry that new outbreaks will occur in communities with lower vaccination rates.

The upcoming event exceeds Biden's predictions earlier this spring of what Americans could safely do on the national holiday. On March 11, Biden announced that Americans would likely be able to gather in small groups by July 4.

"By July the 4th, there's a good chance you, your families and friends will be able to get together in your backyard or in your neighborhood and have a cookout and a barbeque and celebrate Independence Day," Biden said at the time. "That doesn't mean large events with lots of people together, but it does mean small groups will be able to get together."