US President Joe Biden administered with COVID-19 vaccine booster shot, ‘Will provide even more protection’
Like his first and second doses, Biden took the Pfizer jab publicly. It was the US President's third Pfizer dose after the government approved booster doses for those over 65.
Washington: US President Joe Biden on Monday was administered with a Covid-19 booster shot as he urged Americans across the political spectrum to get vaccinated or plus up with boosters when eligible for the extra dose of protection.
Like his first and second doses, Biden took the Pfizer jab publicly. It was the US President's third Pfizer dose after the government approved booster doses for those over 65.
" If you fall under these categories, you're eligible for the booster. I know it doesn't look like it, but I am over 65," Biden said while imploring others to complete their coronavirus vaccine shots in a White House statement.
"We know that to beat this pandemic and to save lives, to keep our children safe, our schools open, our economy going, we need to get folks vaccinated," Biden said during remarks ahead of his shot. "So, please, please do the right thing. Please get these shots. It can save your life and it can save the lives of those around you," he said.
"Boosters are important, but the most important thing we need to do is get more people vaccinated," Biden said.
The US president informed that at least 77% of Americans had taken both the vaccine shots, but nearly 25% of eligible Americans aged 12 and older haven’t received a single dose of the vaccines.
But the problem as Biden said is that a significant chunk of Americans continues to refuse even one shot of the vaccine, fuelling a deadly nationwide surge of the Delta variant.
The US president informed that he didn't suffer from any side effects after the first or the second dose.
US regulators said only people who received their last dose of Pfizer's shot at least six months ago are eligible for another shot now. The FDA has not yet considered Moderna's application for boosters and Johnson & Johnson has not yet applied for one.
(With inputs from agencies)