At the White House on Monday, Joe Biden donned a black surgical mask, rolled his shirt sleeve to his shoulder and received a third dose of the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine as a “booster” shot.
The president received the public jab as confusion about who is eligible for such shots – and when – continued. The administration had hoped recommending and implementing booster shots would be a simple matter.
“Let me be clear, boosters are important,” Biden told reporters. “The most important thing we need to do is get more people vaccinated.”
“… We need to get folks vaccinated. Please, please do the right thing. Please get the shot. It can save your life and the lives of those around you.”
Two panels of independent experts, under the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), have carved out categories of Americans eligible to receive a third dose of the Pfizer vaccine.
But both agencies approved boosters for far fewer Americans than Biden had hoped.
People who have received two shots of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines remain well protected against hospitalization and death. Booster shots may limit transmission, but it is unclear to what extent.
Boosters are not expected to significantly change the trajectory of the pandemic. Only getting more new people vaccinated is likely to significantly alter rates of hospitalizations and deaths.
In August, Biden told Americans the general public would be eligible for booster shots of both two-shot vaccines by 20 September. In a high-profile address he said, “Just remember, as a simple rule: eight months after your second shot, get a booster shot.”
However, rules around boosters have proved far from simple. While leaders at the FDA and CDC agreed with Biden’s plan, the independent panels which help guide decision-making at each agency had not looked at the data. When they did, experts significantly winnowed down who they believed should be eligible for a third dose.
The FDA approved booster doses for recipients of the Pfizer vaccine six months after their second dose, but only for those aged 65 years and older or those between 18 and 65 who had a high chance of developing severe Covid-19 or being exposed at work.
The CDC said who “should” and who “may” get a booster shot. According to that guidance, people older than 65, aged 50 to 64 with underlying health conditions or between 18 and 65 and in long-term care “should” receive a booster.
Younger people who risk exposure at work and have underlying health conditions “may” get a booster.
People with compromised immune systems should receive a third dose of the Pfizer vaccine. The FDA and CDC recommended a third dose for this group with relatively little fanfare.
The FDA and CDC are expected to separately review the evidence for a booster dose of the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson shots.
As Biden received his third dose, he implied eligibility may expand in the future.
“Last week they laid out who is eligible for those boosters for now,” he said.
Biden reminded reporters he was eligible to receive a third dose because he is 78. He also said the first lady, Jill Biden, would get a booster dose. She is 70.
“The most important thing we need to do is get more people vaccinated,” said Biden, giving out a number so Americans can locate nearby distributors.
“Over 77% of adults have gotten at least one shot,” he said. “About 22% haven’t gotten any shots, and that distinct minority is causing an awful lot of damage for the rest of the county.”
Biden said he would travel to Chicago on Wednesday to push more employers to mandate vaccines for staff.
After a nurse administered the shot, Biden rolled down his sleeve and buttoned his cuff then walked to the dais for questions.
“I’m a born optimist,” he said. “I think things are going to go well, and we’re going to get it done.”
