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US PRESIDENT JOE Biden has received his Covid-19 booster shot, days after federal regulators recommended a third dose of the Pfizer vaccine for Americans age 65 or older.
“The most important thing we need to do is get more people vaccinated,” Biden said before getting the booster, adding that he did not have side effects after his first or second shots.
Biden, 78, got his first shot on 21 December and his second dose three weeks later, on 11 January, along with his wife, Jill Biden.
It was not immediately clear whether the first lady, who is 70, would also receive the booster dose today.
Speaking on Friday after the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration authorised the Pfizer booster, Biden told reporters, “It’s hard to acknowledge I’m over 65, but I’ll be getting my booster shot.”
Biden emerged as a champion of booster doses in the summer, as the US experienced a sharp rise in coronavirus cases from the more transmissible Delta variant.
While the vast majority of cases continue to occur among unvaccinated people, regulators pointed to evidence from Israel and early studies in the US showing that protection against so-called breakthrough cases was vastly improved by a third dose of the Pfizer shot.
But the aggressive American push for boosters, before many poorer nations have been able to provide even a modicum of protection for their most vulnerable populations, has drawn condemnation from the World Health Organisation and some aid groups, which have called on the US to pause third shots to free up supply for the global vaccination effort.
Biden said last week that the US was purchasing another 500 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine — for a total of one billion over the coming year — to donate to less well off nations.
Vice President Kamala Harris, 56, received the Moderna vaccine, for which federal regulators have not yet authorised boosters — but they are expected to in the coming weeks.
Regulators are also expecting data about the safety and efficacy of a booster for the single-dose Johnson & Johnson shot soon.
At least 2.66 million Americans have received booster doses of the Pfizer vaccine since mid-August, according to the CDC.
About 100 million Americans have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19 through the Pfizer shot. US regulators recommend getting the boosters at least six months after the second shot of the initial two-dose series.
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Heya! The Ballinamore Free Fringe is on in Leitrim this weekend too! Music, Comedy and Improv!
Dunmore East, Waterford…
this weekend,
The first of three nights in a row of Councillors Outside Cinema takes place on the Strand – at 8pm it’s The Goonies followed by Stand by Me at 10pm. Saturday night sees Finding Nemo at 8pm and The beach at 10pm while Sunday night it’s The Jungle book from 8pm. The viewings are weather permitting, and cost €10 per adult and €5 per child. Bring something warm to sit on. On Saturday you can catch a demo on how to make Ginger Beer in Azzuro from 1.30pm at a cost of €5, also for €5 there’s seaweed foraging on Councillors strand from 4.30pm, and there’s a free bee-keeping talk in the Lemontree at 2.30pm. The Saturday Market runs from 4pm until 10pm on the Park Road, where you can sample the finest of local produce. Sunday sees an all day farmers market on the Park Road from 10am to 5pm. Waterford GIY will host a spud-off competition for adults and kids in the Park from 11am which is free to attend – the idea is to find the tastiest spud of 2015 and kids are asked to turn up with their best potato head creation. You’ll catch free cookery demos in the Park from midday with The Lemontree Restaurant and local fishmonger Tony Kelly and the big event Sunday is the Picnic and Play in the Park between 1pm and 4pm – which is a free afternoon of family entertainment.
The weekend comes to a close in the Strand in from 6pm Sunday evening where there’s a BBQ for €15 a head, and free entry to a DJ set from Tony Legend.
It’s fun, it’s free and it’s all over Ireland. Visit parkrun.ie for details of over 30 free, weekly, timed 5k runs all over the country. All you have to do is register once, it won’t cost a cent, and bring your printed barcode to any parkrun (there are hundreds in the UK and it is spreading worldwide). All community-based and entirely volunteer-run.
Carrickmacross Arts Festival in Co.Monaghan all weekend check out their Facebook page
Hip hop legends The Jungle Brothers will be playing in the Sugar Club in Dublin…. Check them out if your around Stephens Green.
*TONIGHT
The Craft Beer & Roots Festival is the place to be in Co. Clare this weekend. Held in Hotel Doolin on the West coast of the Banner County.
Anything on in Wicklow???
Charlie Chaplin Film Festival in Waterville, Co Kerry.
FREE family fun day, artisan food & blues festival in The Mall, Castlebar, co. Mayo to celebrate the 20th anniversary of local community radio station CRC FM. takes place on Sunday from noon
Any recommendations fir Sligo..? Hoping for sun anyway
Lee Berger : warriors run on in Sligo http://www.warriorsfestival.com/
The warriors run / festival is on tomorrow in Strandhill, if the sun makes an appearance it’ll be a good day out! https://www.facebook.com/TheWarriorsFestival
Cork Heritage Open Day runs tomorrow. Over 40 buildings open, great buzz in the city centre, and it is free.
ukulele festival in people’s park dun laoire this Sunday
Check out http://www.dublineventguide.com for free events in Dublin
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