Biden and McConnell Receive COVID-19 Booster Shots, Encourage Vaccines
Summary from the AllSides News Team
Two top U.S. political leaders on opposite sides of the aisle received Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine booster shot in recent days and encouraged people to get the vaccine. President Joe Biden got his COVID-19 booster shot Monday in front of news cameras; Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) announced hours later that he'd also received the third dose. McConnell called it "an easy decision," and Biden joked that " it doesn't look like it, but I am over 65...And that's why I'm getting my booster shot today." The news followed CDC Director Rochelle Walensky's recommendation last week that the booster shot be made available for people ages 65 and older, and people ages 18 to 64 who are considered at high risk of contracting COVID-19 due to their occupation.
The news was covered similarly by sources across the political spectrum. Some sources on all sides highlighted how Walensky's recommendation overruled a CDC panel that voted against a third dose for Americans in high-risk jobs.
Featured Coverage of this Story
From the Left
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell announces he just received a COVID booster shot: 'It was an easy decision'Republican Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell announced during a floor speech on Monday that he has received a third dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, immediately following President Biden doing the same thing.
"I'm glad to share that a few minutes ago I received a booster vaccination for COVID-19," McConnell said as he began his speech. "All throughout the pandemic, I've followed the best advice from experts, and especially from my own healthcare providers."
"It was an easy decision to receive a booster," he continued. "I'm a survivor of childhood polio...
From the Left
Biden gets COVID-19 booster shot before cameras, pushes vaccinationsPresident Joe Biden got his COVID-19 booster shot before news cameras Monday as his administration promotes new booster guidance that has spurred some confusion among Americans on when to get a third dose.
"Like I did with my first and second COVID-19 vaccination shot, I'm about to get my booster shot and do it publicly. That's because the Food and Drug Administration, the FDA, the Center for Diseases Control and Prevention, the CDC, looked at all the data, completed their review, and determined the boosters for the Pfizer vaccine --...
From the Right
Biden, McConnell Get Booster Shots Following New CDC GuidancePresident Joe Biden, 78, received a booster shot against COVID-19 at the White House on Monday afternoon, days after the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommended that seniors who had gotten the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine more than six months ago should get them.
Biden’s booster dose comes after the CDC endorsed Pfizer booster shots for those 65 and over and those in long-term care, as well as for people between 50 and 64 with underlying medical conditions. The CDC’s booster endorsement does not cover those who received the Moderna or Johnson...
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