President Biden gets coronavirus and flu vaccines

TUESDAY, Sept. 26, 2023 (HealthDay News) — President Joe Biden was recently vaccinated against three major respiratory viruses that could become widespread this fall and winter.

White House physician Kevin O’Connor wrote in a White House memo that Biden received an updated COVID-19 vaccine booster and annual flu shot on Friday. The president received the new respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine a few weeks ago. “As we enter cold and flu season, the President encourages all Americans to follow suit and consult with their health care provider or pharmacist to ensure they are fully vaccinated,” O’Connor added. Biden, 80, was infected with the new coronavirus in July 2022, including being infected again after taking the antiviral drug Paxlovid. First lady Jill Biden recently contracted the coronavirus, testing positive earlier this month. He only had mild symptoms. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that all Americans 6 months and older get a booster shot of the new coronavirus vaccine, even as thousands of people continue to be hospitalized and hundreds of people die every week in the United States. However, people should make sure they don’t have COVID-19 symptoms and, if so, they should complete the recommended quarantine period before getting the newer vaccine, the CDC said. Americans with so-called multisystem inflammatory syndrome should wait until they recover from the illness, according to the Associated Press, which reports that 90 days have passed between diagnosis and receiving a booster shot. More information The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more information about COVID-19 vaccinations. Source: White House, memo, September 23, 2023; Associated Press.