Transcript - Remarks: Joe Biden Delivers Remarks and Receives a Coronavirus Booster Shot - September 27, 2021 | Factba.se

Joe Biden

00:00:00 - 00:00:13 ()

Hello, everybody. How are you doing? Did you ever think you'd be seeing your press coming to watch someone get a shot in the old days? Me either. [Laughs]

Joe Biden

00:00:13 - 00:00:46 ()

Anyway, like I did in my first and second COVID-19 vaccination shot, I'm about to get my booster shot and do it publicly. That's because the Food and Drug Administration -- the FDA -- the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention -- the CDC -- looked at all the data, completed their review, and determined that boosters for the Pfizer vaccine -- and others will come later, maybe, I assume -- but the Pfizer vaccine are safe and effective. They have all the data they need.

Joe Biden

00:00:46 - 00:01:24 ()

And last week, they laid out who is eligible for those boosters for now. You're eligible for a booster if it's been six months since your second Pfizer shot and if you fall into one of these categories: people over 65, which is hard to acknowledge -- adults -- I'm only joking folks; adults with certain underlying health conditions like diabetes and obesity; and those who are at increased risk of COVID-19 because of where you work or where you live, like healthcare workers, teachers, first responders, grocery store clerks.

Joe Biden

00:01:24 - 00:01:38 ()

If you fall under these categories, you're eligible for the booster. Now, I know it doesn't look like it, but I am over 65 -- I wish I -- way over. And that's why I'm getting my booster shot today.

Joe Biden

00:01:38 - 00:01:55 ()

The booster line is if you're fully vaccinated -- the bottom line is that if you're fully vaccinated and -- you're highly protected now from severe illness, even if you get COVID-19. You're safe, and we're going to do everything we can to keep it that way with the boosters.

Joe Biden

00:01:55 - 00:02:03 ()

But let me be clear: Boosters are important, but the most important thing we need to do is get more people vaccinated.

Joe Biden

00:02:03 - 00:02:23 ()

The vast majority of Americans are doing the right thing. Over 77 percent of adults have gotten at least one shot. About 23 percent haven't gotten any shots, and that -- that distinct minority is causing an awful lot of us an awful lot of damage for the rest of the country.

Joe Biden

00:02:23 - 00:02:31 ()

This is a pandemic of the unvaccinated. That's why I'm moving forward with vaccination requirements wherever I can.

Joe Biden

00:02:31 - 00:02:41 ()

On Wednesday, I'll be traveling to Chicago to talk about why it's so important that more businesses are instituting their own vaccine requirements.

Joe Biden

00:02:41 - 00:02:51 ()

We know that to beat this pandemic and to save lives, to keep our children safe, our schools open, our economy going, we need to get folks vaccinated.

Joe Biden

00:02:51 - 00:03:03 ()

So, please -- please do the right thing. Please get the shots. And it can save your life. It can save the lives of those around you. And it's easy, accessible, and it's free.

Joe Biden

00:03:03 - 00:03:20 ()

So, text your ZIP Code to 438829 -- that's 438829 -- or visit Vaccines.gov to find a vaccination location near you. We can do this. Get vaccinated.

Joe Biden

00:03:20 - 00:03:36 ()

Thank you very much. Now, I'm going to get my booster shot and -- right here. And the Major is going to give me the shot.

Question

00:03:36 - 00:03:43 ()

Did you have any side effects with the second shot, Mr. President?

Joe Biden

00:03:43 - 00:03:57 ()

No, I haven't any side effects the first or second shot, thank goodness. I don't anticipate one now, but we'll see.

Question

00:03:57 - 00:04:01 ()

Is the First Lady getting hers as well today, Mr. President?

Joe Biden

00:04:01 - 00:04:11 ()

She's going to get one. Not that -- I think she's teaching. She -- but she's going to get one. Yes.

Question

00:04:11 - 00:04:26 ()

Mr. President, what do you say to the world health leaders, like the World Health Organization, who say wealthy nations should help more countries without vaccinations to get vaccinated before they get boosters here in America?

Joe Biden

00:04:26 - 00:04:44 ()

We are helping -- we are doing more than every other nation in the world combined. We're going to have well over 1,100,000,000 shots, and we're going to continue going. We're going to do our part. We've also given a great deal of funding to COVAX, which is the vehicle that does this.

Joe Biden

00:04:44 - 00:04:44 ()

[The President receives a COVID-19 booster shot]

Joe Biden

00:04:44 - 00:04:53 ()

So, we have plenty, plenty of opportunities to make sure we get everyone in the world -- to play our part -- the largest part in the world of getting everyone vaccinated.

Question

00:04:53 - 00:05:02 ()

How many -- how many Americans need to be vaccinated for us to go back to normal? Like what is the percentage of total vaccinations that have to be deployed?

Joe Biden

00:05:02 - 00:05:23 ()

Well, I think -- look, I think we get the vast majority -- like is going on in so many -- some industries and some schools -- 96, 97, 98 percent. I think we're getting awful close. But I'm not the scientist.

Joe Biden

00:05:23 - 00:05:31 ()

I think -- but one thing for certain: A quarter of the country can't go unvaccinated and us not continue to have a problem.

Question

00:05:31 - 00:05:37 ()

Any progress on a reconciliation deal today, Mr. President? How close do you think you are?

Joe Biden

00:05:37 - 00:05:51 ()

You know me, I'm a born optimist. I think things are going to go well. I think we're going to get it done. And -- but I have meetings tonight, tomorrow, and for the next little bit.

Question

00:05:51 - 00:05:58 ()

So what is at stake -- what is at stake for your agenda and your presidency with what's happening on the Hill this week?

Joe Biden

00:05:58 - 00:05:59 ()

Victory is what's at stake.

Question

00:05:59 - 00:06:08 ()

Mr. President, how would you define "success" this week, legislatively? How would you define "success," legislatively, by the end of this week?

Joe Biden

00:06:08 - 00:06:23 ()

Well, it may not be by the end of the week. I hope it's by the end of the week. But as long as we're still alive, the longer -- we got three things to do: the debt ceiling, the continuing resolution, and the two pieces of legislation. If we do that, the country is going to be in great shape.

Joe Biden

00:06:23 - 00:06:27 ()

Thank you very much.