U.S. President Joe Biden received a COVID-19 vaccine booster shot on Monday, days after his administration approved a third shot of Pfizer’s vaccine for certain populations.
Before receiving his shot, Biden told reporters at the White House that “boosters are important, but the most important thing we need to do is get more people vaccinated” with their initial shots.
“The vast majority of Americans are doing the right thing,” Biden said. “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.”
Biden received his booster eight months after his second shot in January, before he was sworn into office.
Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell said he also received a booster shot Monday and encouraged Americans to get vaccinated against COVID-19.
The booster shot is available for those who received the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine at least six months ago.