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| The Biden administration says there is now a "pandemic of the unvaccinated"."Boosters are important, but the most important thing we need to do is get more people vaccinated," he said, noting that about 23 percent of Americans have not received any vaccine. (Photo by=AP/ Evan Vucci) |
[Asia News = Reporter Reakkana] US President Joe Biden has received a COVID-19 vaccine booster shot, hoping to provide an example for Americans on the need to get the extra vaccine dose even as millions go without their first. ABC said that the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) last week backed an additional dose of the Pfizer vaccine for people aged 65 and older, adults with underlying medical conditions, and adults in high-risk working and institutional settings.
Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell also received a booster shot. Mr. Biden, 78, said his wife Jill would also get a booster shot soon. He dismissed criticism that the US should distribute more vaccines worldwide before allowing boosters at home. While scientists are divided over the need for booster shots when so many people in the United States and other countries remain unvaccinated, Mr. Biden announced the push in August as part of an effort to shore up protection against the highly transmissible Delta variant.
Additionally, only people who received their last dose of Pfizer at least six months ago are eligible for another shot now. US officials have said the country is in the middle of a "pandemic of the unvaccinated" as largely regional outbreaks of the virus across the US continue to stress healthcare systems.
