U.S. President Joe Biden on Tuesday received a COVID-19 vaccine booster shot designed to provide increased protection against the dominant Omicron variant, and called for the public to do the same.
While the United States has a population of over 300 million, only around 20 million people in the country have received the updated vaccine, including just one in five seniors, according to the White House.
"Get vaccinated. Update your COVID vaccine. It's incredibly effective," Biden said as he received his fifth overall dose of the novel coronavirus vaccine, adding, "The truth is, not enough people are getting it."
The Biden administration is stepping up its calls for the public to get vaccinated ahead of Halloween events and next month's Thanksgiving holiday, and as the country sees a rise in seasonal viruses such as flu.
Biden contracted the coronavirus in July, but only experienced mild symptoms. His latest inoculation took place based on his "schedule," White House COVID-19 Response Coordinator Ashish Jha told a press conference the same day, referring to a recommended three-month interval for the next shot following infection.
Asked about the health condition of the 79-year-old president, Jha said, while noting that he is not Biden's personal physician, "I am not aware that he is having any persistent symptoms."
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