HEMET, Calif. — President Joe Biden has declared June as National Month of Action in a final push to reach the administration’s goal of getting at least 70% of American adults inoculated with at least one COVID-19 shot by July 4.

The president is challenging colleges and mayors across the country to increase vaccination rates amid a downturn. 

The plan of action includes free childcare for parents at hundreds of locations, like YMCAs, during vaccination appointments, extended pharmacy hours, outreach to minority communities, vaccination events and new incentives. These include discounted groceries, free Xboxes for kids, plane tickets and gift cards.

“To top it off, Anheuser-Busch announced that beer is on them on July the Fourth. That is right. Get a shot and have a beer,” President Biden said Wednesday.

As the White House works on a federal level, back in Hemet, one Congressman is taking a more direct and local approach.

Rep. Raul Ruiz, D-Palm Desert, who is also a doctor, joined up with Hemet hospital and American Legion Post 53 to organize a vaccination clinic for veterans this week after Memorial Day. Veterans’ families and community members were all welcome.

Rep. Ruiz has been vaccinating constituents for months in hard-to-reach areas like trailer parks and rural regions.

“We’re able to vaccinate veterans and seniors,” Ruiz said. “Right here in Hemet. And get the word out into the surrounding communities especially our veterans to get them vaccinated and protect them from COVID-19.”

Desert Health Care District said, “The Coachella Valley has over 55% of its population fully vaccinated. The agricultural areas of Thermal, Oasis, Mecca, and North Shore have over 70% of their population fully vaccinated. There have been no COVID-19 deaths in these areas for over a month and no new positive cases in two weeks.”

Yet these efforts are still urgent in communities where vaccination rates generally are lagging further and further behind the rates in urban areas where it is easier to make appointments and travel to clinics and doctors’ offices.

“Dr. Ruiz administered my vaccine shot and I was very pleased because he came out to our city here in Hemet to support the community and also for the citizens who couldn’t make it to the major vaccine centers,” Robert Garza, a Hemet resident, said. 

In California, the seven-day average vaccination rate hit its peak in April and has since slowed according to data from the California Department of Public Health.

Now, President Biden is calling on Americans to work together so more people are vaccinated by Independence Day.

“I promised you we'd marshal a wartime effort to defeat this virus. And that's just what we're doing. The more people we get vaccinated, the more success we're going to have, and our fight against this virus,” Biden said.

The president also sent a warning that unvaccinated people are still at risk of serious illness or death and spreading the disease to others. It is something Ruiz is reminding constituents as well, so everyone, adults and children, can join the effort in defeating the virus.

The U.S. needs to vaccinate roughly 20 million adults to reach President Biden's goal of 70% by July 4.

If you want to book a vaccine appointment or see a full list of incentives, you can head to vaccines.gov.