Aside from the crisis in Afghanistan, US President Joe Biden is also tackling the rising cases of the Delta variant of the coronavirus in the country. Following the news of Pfizer and Moderna booster shots being made available, Biden and first lady Dr. Jill Biden will be receiving another jab.
Reuters reported that the Bidens will be receiving a third shot of the COVID-19 vaccine. This follows the news that the country’s health officials announced Wednesday that the booster shots for the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines will be made available for all adults in America starting September. During a White House briefing, Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy said that it is time to implement a plan for COVID-19 booster shots, citing that even the most effective doses become less effective over time.
A statement signed by CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky, acting FDA Commissioner Dr. Janet Woodcock, White House chief medical adviser Dr. Anthony Fauci and other public health leaders said that there is evidence of reduced protection against mild and moderate disease. Starting September 20, US agencies are preparing to offer booster shots for all eligible American adults, eight months after their second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccines.
They have yet to receive data on whether those who got the single-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine will need to get booster shots as well. They noted that they will make a formal announcement as soon as they have the available data. Nevertheless, the CDC has advised that even fully vaccinated people must wear a face mask when they enter a building.
Biden also recently warned Republican governors who remain defiant on student mask mandates as the new school year begins that they may face legal consequences for trying to intimidate educators from protecting students against the coronavirus. This comes as Texas and Florida’s Republican Governors have opposed recommendations from health officials regarding mask mandates.
Biden then directed the Education Department under Secretary Miguel Cardona to use their legal authority to take action against governors who are trying to block or intimidate school officials and educators from trying to adhere to CDC guidelines.