There is no question that President Biden is putting a new and increased emphasis on vaccine distribution to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, and that should be good news for Connecticut. The state has been a national leader in the rate of inoculations, but the state’s capacity to provide vaccines is outstripping the supply being made available.

In other words, if more vaccines are made available, Connecticut is ready to vaccinate more people. And in regard to making that happen, the approach of the Biden administration could be a game changer. That point was not lost on Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont.

“I firmly believe that they’re going to put their foot on the accelerator when it comes to…making sure that Pfizer and Moderna have everything they need, that would allow them to double or triple manufacturing capacity. I think it’s a good time to have this new leadership,” Lamont said this past week.

The president has set a goal of administering 100 million shots in 100 days, which is enough to cover 50 million Americans. The vaccines require two doses. Such goals can help focus efforts, as arbitrary as they may be. The U.S. is administering about 1 million doses a day now, but keeping up the pace could be a challenge. Exceeding it would be a morale boost.

President Biden announced he would use the Defense Production Act to increase the supply of materials required for the effort, including syringes and protective equipment.

And we welcome the president’s orders making masks mandatory on federal property and in airports, and on trains and intercity buses subject to federal regulation or financial support. The orders send the right message.

The greater urgency of the new administration in the war against COVID-19 is apparent and should bring victory, meaning normalcy, quicker.

The Day editorial board meets with political, business and community leaders to formulate editorial viewpoints. It is composed of President and Publisher Timothy Dwyer, Executive Editor Izaskun E. Larraneta, Owen Poole, copy editor, and Lisa McGinley, retired deputy managing editor. The board operates independently from The Day newsroom.