WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden rolled up his sleeves and earned his covid-19 reminder update Tuesday when he suggested millions of others cheer up during Halloween, if possible, so they can safely gather with a circle of family and friends this holiday season.
“Get vaccinated,” he said, noting that it’s free. There are not enough people who understand it. “
Biden also called on Congress to provide the billions of dollars management has asked for to buy more vaccines, tests and treatments. Some lawmakers have hesitated over the request for more than $20 billion in investment for the novel coronavirus.
Biden, who accompanied through his COVID-19 reaction team, said that the fight against the spread of the virus is global in nature and that “the investment we seek is fundamental” for that effort.
More than 20 million people, adding up to nearly 1 in five seniors, have gained the updated covid-19 booster, the White House said. in the United States.
Biden said more people needed to be vaccinated as winter approached and would spend more time indoors and could spread disease. He added that the vaccine is freely available within an 8km radius of where most people live.
He suggested that other people get vaccinated against the coronavirus at the same time they get a flu shot every year. He said a covid-19 booster would be an annual event.
“For most Americans, a surge of covid every year will be all they need,” Biden said at the White House. “And if he succeeds, he will be protected. And if you don’t succeed, you’re putting yourself and others in unnecessary danger. “
“I call on all Americans . . . to all Americans to get vaccinated as soon as they can,” he said.
A member of the White House medical unit punched Biden in the left arm. He had to delay his retirement, according to federal fitness guidelines, because he became ill with covid-19 during the summer.
Biden again called on businesses, schools and civic leaders to help, adding that he organizes on-site vaccination clinics and gives workers time off to cheer themselves up. Most deaths from covid-19 are now preventable, he said.
Three respiratory viruses are circulating lately in the United States: influenza, covid-19 and respiratory syncytial virus, said Dr. Ashish Jha, the White House’s chief of covid-19 response.
Jha said Tuesday that the combination of a flu shot and an updated covid booster will help others avoid serious illness and stay out of the hospital as they prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving and other holidays with friends and family.
“We want everyone to take action and do their part, it’s literally about saving the lives of tens of thousands of Americans this fall and winter,” he said. “The smart news here is that, unlike winters, we are in control. “
RSV also affects children and there is no vaccine to treat it, companies are racing to expand one, he said. He said most of those cases tend to be mild, that’s still a concern.
Meanwhile, 8 million doses of the antiviral treatment Paxlovid have been distributed to pharmacies and 5. 5 million have been administered. Jha said there will be “many” for fall and winter.