US Prez Joe Biden takes COVID-19 vaccine booster

United States President Joe Biden took a COVID-19 vaccine booster hoping to provide a powerful example for Americans on the need to get the extra shot even as millions go without their first. In getting the booster, he dismissed criticism that the United States should distribute more vaccines worldwide before allowing boosters at home.

The President said, US is going to do its part. US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention last week backed an additional dose of the Pfizer Inc BioNTech vaccine for Americans aged 65 and older, adults with underlying medical conditions and adults in high-risk working and institutional settings. Seventy-eight year old Biden said his wife Jill would also get a booster shot soon. Nearly 25 per cent of eligible Americans aged 12 and older have not received a single dose of the vaccines.

Mr. Biden said last week that the U.S. was purchasing another 500 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine – for a total of one billion over the coming year – to donate to less well-off nations.