President Joe Biden took a cautious victory lap in his quest to bring the Covid-19 pandemic under control, announcing that 300 million vaccine shots have been administered in the 150 days since he took office.

Biden credited scientists, companies, the American people and his whole-of-government effort. The president noted that the widespread vaccination campaign had set the stage for most Americans to have a relatively normal summer as businesses reopen and employers hire.

“We’re heading into a very different summer compared to last year,” the president said, according to AP. “A bright summer. Prayerfully, a summer of joy.”

Overall, about 168 million American adults, or 65.1 per cent of the US population 18 years and older, have received at least one dose of the Covid-19 vaccine as of Friday, according to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.