On Wednesday, Mr. Biden, who is 78, received his second COVID-19 boost shot. This was one day after the Food and Drug Administration approved a new round Moderna and Pfizer vaccine doses to Americans over 50. President Biden, who had his first booster shot in September, is now one of 34 million Americans eligible for a second booster shot.
After giving an update on the pandemic, Mr. Biden was given the opportunity to announce the rollout COVID.gov. This new website is designed to assist Americans in accessing information about vaccines, treatments and case levels within a community. The website was described by the president as a “one stop-shop” for all COVID-19-related needs in America.
The president stated Wednesday that “because of the strategy we implemented over the past year in vaccinations, testing treatments, and more, now we’re in a new stage in this pandemic.” It does not mean that COVID-19 has ended. It simply means that COVID-19 doesn’t control our lives anymore.
President Obama also spoke out about the administration’s “test to treat” initiative, which he announced during his State of the Union address. It has now expanded to more than 2000 locations nationwide. This program is designed to help Americans get tested, and if they are positive, get them a prescription filled at the same place.
The president also asked Congress to approve new COVID-19 funding in order to provide vaccines and treatment. The administration has warned lawmakers that there won’t be enough vaccines to give all Americans a fourth shot and not enough funding for anti-viral treatments. The administration requested $30 billion from Congress. The president warned that the U.S. will not be able sustain its testing capacity beyond June and would make the country more vulnerable to another round of the virus.
“We are already seeing the consequences for congressional inaction,” Mr. Biden stated Wednesday. Monoclonal antibody — Take monoclonal antibodies, for instance. They have saved many lives. This is not partisan; it’s medicine. However, Congress hasn’t given enough money to continue purchasing monoclonal antibody. We had to cancel orders and reduce the amount of monoclonal antibodies we sent to the US. We’ll run out of funding without more by May end.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that more than 975,000 Americans have been affected by COVID-19 since the outbreak. Since the beginning of the pandemic, hospitalizations and deaths have been in decline. According to the CDC, nearly 70% of Americans aged 5 and over are fully vaccinated. 89% of Americans 65 years old are fully vaccinated. However, the vast majority of Americans have not received a booster shot.
