Biden: COVID-19 Boosters Available To Americans Starting September 20

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – President Joe Biden has officially unveiled his administration’s plan to roll out COVID-19 vaccine booster shots to Americans. Starting on September 20th, COVID-19 vaccine booster shots will be made available. The plan is to have every adult gets a booster shot eight months after receiving their second shot.

President Biden says the process will be simple. He says, “It will be easy. Just show your vaccination card and you’ll get a booster. No other I.D., no insurance, no state registry requirement.”

But the World Health Organization is pushing back on COVID-19 booster shots, saying there isn’t clear evidence they’re needed, and that offering COVID-19 booster shots to the already vaccinated might be taking away from people who haven’t been able to get their first dose. Dr. Mike Ryan of the W.H.O. says, “We’re planning to hand out extra life jackets to people who already have life jackets. While we’re leaving other people to drown without a single life jacket. That’s the reality. The science is not certain is not on this.”

But President Biden and the U.S. Surgeon General both insist they can handle dishing out booster shots to Americans while continuing efforts to help vaccinate the rest of the world. U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy says, “Getting people vaccinated is going to be key to preventing the rise to future variants. We know that. We see that clearly and we believe we have to work on both fronts as we have been.”

Meanwhile, the city of Charlotte’s mask mandate is now in effect, which requires masks to be worn indoors regardless of vaccination status against COVID-19. Mecklenburg County Commissioners have also passed a countywide mandate that starts in 10 days.

This episode’s panel features:
WCCB TV’s Morgan Fogarty
WCCB News Edge contributor Ashley Anderson
WCCB Meteorologist James Scott