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President Joe Biden commemorated the Fourth of July by lauding Americans' 'independence from COVID-19' and promised a 'bright future' as he pushed for the unvaccinated to get the jab.

As Biden made his remarks, he was faced with the reality of missing two big goals in the vaccination efforts – getting 160 million Americans fully vaccinated and making sure 70 per cent of adults received at least one dose by July 4, 2021. So far, only 67% of adult Americans have received one dose of the vaccine.

The president's speech in full:  

Today we celebrate America. Freedom, our liberty, our independence. The Fourth of July, today of history, hope, remembrance and resolve with promise and possibilities. Before me stands the greatest and the goodness of our nation - monuments of life, liberty. 

There is a towering memorial of George Washington. A general who led our revolution, the president who set our nation on its course. A memorial for Thomas Jefferson, whose words about liberty and equality changed the world. And across the tidal basin, from the Jefferson memorial, stands Dr. Martin Luther king Jr., his arms crossed, his eyes fixed ahead toward the promise land where equality is not only an aspiration but a reality.

They help define who we are. Guide what we do. Remind us of the works that they have given us in our own time.

This year, the Fourth of July, is a special celebration. We're emerging from the darkness of a year of pandemic and isolation, a year of pain, fear and heartbreaking loss. Think back to where this nation was a year ago, to where you were a year ago. Think about how far we've come.

People waving the American flag. Fans back in their seats, cheering together, families, pressing hands against windows, to grandchildren and grandparents hugs, businesses are opening entirely. We're seeing record job creation, and record economic growth, the best in four decades, I might add the best in the world.

Today all across the nation, we could say with confidence, America is coming back together.

245 years ago we declared our Independence from a distant king. Today we're closer than ever to declaring our independence from a deadly virus. That is not to say the battle against Covid-19 is over, we have a lot more work to do. But just as our declaration of 1776 was was a call to action, not a reason for complacency, it was a call to action. The same is true today, back then we had the power of an idea on our side, today the power of science. 

Thanks to our heroic vaccine efforts our economy is roaring back. Don't get me wrong, Covid-19 has not been - we know that variants have emerged. Get vaccinated. The most patriotic thing you can do, please, if you have not gotten vaccinated, do it, do it now. For yourself. For your loved ones. For your community. For your country. You know, that is how we'll stay ahead of this variant.

Never again want to be where we were a year ago today.

Joe Biden celebrated 'independence from COVID-19 ' during his July 4th speech from the White House on Sunday despite the U.S. missing his goal of getting 70 per cent of Americans at least one shot by the mid-summer holiday

'Today we're closer than ever to declaring our independence from the deadly virus,' Biden said, but struck a serious tone as he warned that there is still a far way to go 

Biden told the hundreds of first responders and military family members gathered for the July 4 celebration the getting vaccinated is the 'most patriotic thing' an American can do 

Biden told the hundreds of first responders and military family members gathered for the July 4 celebration the getting vaccinated is the 'most patriotic thing' an American can do 

Today the virus has been vanquished. We know, it no longer controls our lives, and no longer paralyzes our nation. It is within our power to make sure it never does it again. For that, we can thank the scientists, researchers, educators and all other front line essential workers like many of you here today.

I hope you know that you, the American people, have been part of one of most remarkable achievements. In this moment of joy, you know that this day falls hard on those who lost a loved one, the number of Americans who lost their lives. Sons and daughters, brothers, sisters, grandparents. Neighbors, coworkers, we remember all those who we lost this year. We have to remember.

Unlike every other nation on Earth, we were founded. We hold these truths to be self evident that all people are created equal and among them, life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. We have never fully lived up to the words but we never give up on them. Treat everyone with dignity and respect.

Biden told the hundreds of first responders and military family members gathered for the July 4 celebration the getting vaccinated is the 'most patriotic thing' an American can do 

Selfie time: The president mingles with attendees at his July 4 celebration and takes a selfie with a woman standing to meet him in the South Lawn

All of the servicemen and women here tonight, all of you serving in the world, thank you for your service and sacrifice. Like so many military families, thank you. All part of a long chain for the sake of this nation. Peace and security and opportunity. Every one of us, every American. Each day we are reminded of the pursuit of happiness, drink clean water, and know our children and grandchildren are safe on this planet for generations to come.

Spirit of Independence. A nation. We are a great nation. We work to make it great. We unite in common causes. There is no limit to what we can achieve. Today we see the results of unity.

Together we are beating the virus, together. Over the past year. We have come through some of our darkest days. The brightest future. This is a special nation, a great nation, no matter your race or ethnicity or gender or faith.

Unite America. Whether your ancestors are native to the land or immigrants, or you are coming here today looking to build a better life for your family, like our fellow Americans that I just swore in, in the White House two days ago. The American dream, we use that phrase, the American dream. It was written a long time ago.

Jill and Joe enjoy the fireworks display from the first-floor balcony, underneath the Truman balcony on the south side of the White House, with granddaughters Finnegan (left) and Naomi (right)

My fellow Americans, now we're the guardians of the idea of America, it is up to us to save it to preserve it, to build on it. And I know we will. I look out to those monuments, and beyond them to the hearts of the people across the land, I know this is never ever been a good bet to bet against America, never.

Remember who we are. We are the United States of America. There is nothing, nothing we can't do if we do it together. Happy Fourth of July America. God bless you. May God protect our troops.