In his first prime-time address, President Joe Biden instilled hope that Americans may get a taste of normalcy as early as the Fourth of July after a harrowing year of dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic.

“That doesn't mean large events with lots of people together, but it does mean small groups will be able to get together after this long, hard year, that will make this Independence Day something truly special,” he said Thursday night.

The announcement comes as the president directed states to ensure that all adults are eligible for a coronavirus vaccine by May 1.

Dr. Salvatore Pardo, of Northwell Health, says Biden’s ambitious goal is attainable.

“I think we have to accelerate our vaccination rate. I think we are doing that,” he told News 12. “If that's true and we get that done and people are willing to be vaccinated…I think it’s a realistic thing to start becoming more normalized. But it’s going to take everybody's willingness to do that.”

Pardo says getting vaccinated against COVID-19 is a community effort.

President Biden also announced a new federal website that will help residents find the nearest location where they can get vaccinated.