Tags: Pandemic
Reporter question: “Did you have any side effects with the 2nd shot, Mr. President?”
Joe Biden, U.S. President: “No, I haven’t had any side effects the first or second shot. Thank goodness. I don’t anticipate one now, we’ll see.”
(Reporter question: Is the first lady getting hers as well, Mr. President?)
Joe Biden, U.S. President: “She’s going to get one, I think she’s teaching, but she’s going to get one, yes.”
Reporter: “Mr. President, what do you say to world health leaders like the World Health Organization who say wealthy nations should help more countries without vaccinations get vaccinated before doing boosters here in America?”
Joe Biden, U.S. President: “We are helping, we’re doing more than every other nation in the world combined. We’re going to have well over a billion, 100 million shots and we’re going to continue going. We’re going to do our part. We’ve also given a great deal of funding to COVAX, which is a vehicle that does this. So we have plenty, plenty of opportunity to make sure we get everyone in the world to play our part, the largest part in the world, of getting everyone vacinated.”
“The Food and Drug Administration, the FDA, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the CDC looked at all the data, completed their review and determined the boosters for the Pfizer vaccine, others will come later, maybe, I assume, but the Pfizer vaccine are safe and effective. They’ve had all the data they need. And last week they laid out who is eligible for those boosters for now. You’re eligible for a booster if it’s been six months since your second Pfizer shot. And if you fall into one of these categories: people over 65, which is hard to acknowledge; adults, I’m only joking, folks, adults with certain underlying health conditions like diabetes and obesity and those who are at increased risk of COVID-19 because of where you work or where you live, like health care workers, teachers, first responders, grocery store clerks. If you fall into these categories, you’re eligible for the booster.”
“But let me be clear. Boosters are important, but the most important thing we need to do is get more people vaccinated. The vast majority of Americans are doing the right thing. Over 77% of adults have gotten at least one shot. About 23% haven’t gotten any shots. And that, that distinct minority is causing an awful lot of us, an awful lot of damage for the rest of the country. This is a pandemic of the unvaccinated. That’s why I’m moving forward with vaccination requirements wherever I can.”
Sen. Mitch McConnell, Minority Leader: “I’m glad to share that a few minutes ago, I received a booster vaccination for COVID-19. All throughout the pandemic, I’ve followed the best advice from experts and especially from my own health care providers. It was an easy decision to receive a booster. I’m a survivor of childhood polio from before vaccines, before vaccines eradicated that disease here in our country and around the world now. So I’ve been a lifelong champion of vaccinations. Mountains of evidence tell us these shots are safe, effective and dramatically shrink the odds of severe disease or deaths from COVID. Like I’ve been saying for months, These safe and effective vaccines are the way to defend ourselves and our families from this terrible virus. They’re also how we stay on offense against COVID as a country. All Americans should speak with their doctors and get vaccinated.”
