WASHINGTON — President Biden received a second Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus reminder Wednesday afternoon, a day after federal health offi...
WASHINGTON — President Biden received a second Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus reminder Wednesday afternoon, a day after federal health officials authorized an additional booster dose of Pfizer or Moderna vaccines for people over 50 and for many with weakened immune systems.
Officials said people in these two categories could get vaccinated again at least four months after receiving their first booster. Mr. Biden, now 79, received a Pfizer recall at the end of September.
“We know that reminders are essential to provide an additional level of protection,” Biden said on Wednesday, explaining why he was receiving his second reminder at the time. He got his chance after commenting on the state of the fight against the pandemicin which he pointed out a new website.
“It didn’t hurt me,” he said afterwards.
Mr. Biden and his top public health advisers have repeatedly urged people to get fully vaccinated with the initial two-shot regimen required with the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine. And they said everyone should be boosted because the effectiveness of the initial vaccination against infection with the virus diminishes over time.
By taking the hit, the president hopes to encourage a population already tired of the fight against Covid-19 and vaccines. Officials said far fewer people received booster shots than the original vaccines.
“If you haven’t received your first reminder, please don’t wait,” Biden said Wednesday.
Lawmakers and their staff on Capitol Hill were told Wednesday that they, too, are now eligible to receive a second booster dose, if they are over age 50 or meet other criteria.
Zachary Montague contributed report.
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