Staff Reports
President Biden, always highly occupied, received his updated COVID-19 vaccination away from public view on Friday. His physician confirmed that the president received both his flu shot and the latest COVID-19 booster during a private session. This marked a departure from his previous COVID-19 vaccinations, which had been captured on camera, prompting many to question this shift in approach.
The White House press secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre, explained that the decision to keep the vaccination private was a result of Mr. Biden's extremely busy schedule. Jean-Pierre reassured the American public that the president promptly received his vaccinations. She also mentioned that the administration intends to launch an extensive campaign to encourage COVID-19 vaccinations but emphasized that it doesn't require a "presidential photo opportunity."
The updated shots from Pfizer and Moderna have recently been introduced, specifically targeting the challenging XBB variants and sub-lineages that emerged earlier this year. In a way, President Biden's decision to receive his shots privately aligns with his administration's current stance on the coronavirus. While he urges people to remain vigilant, he firmly believes that the worst of the pandemic is behind us, and COVID-19 is no longer considered a public health emergency.
Although some businesses and colleges across the nation have reintroduced mask mandates due to a rise in cases, it's worth noting that hospitalizations remain relatively low, and there have been no widespread government mandates imposed.
