Topline
Tuesday afternoon, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell announced that he had received his coronavirus booster shot the same day as President Joe Biden. The administration has been praising McConnell's pro-vaccine rhetoric, even though the two have been bitterly divided on other issues.
UNITED STATES – SEPTEMBER 21. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) concludes a news...[+] conference following the Senate Republican Policy luncheon at the U.S. Capitol Tuesday, September 21, 2021. Sens. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) and Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) (Photo by Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images. CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images
The Key Facts
McConnell stated in a floor speech that he received the vaccine just minutes ago. He also said that it was easy because of his personal experience with polio, which he survived as a child. McConnell said that he is a long-standing champion of vaccines. He stated that he got the vaccine a few minutes ago, adding that it was an easy decision given his experience with polio as a child. McConnell also stressed that boosters are important but that it is more important for Americans not vaccinated to get their first shots. McConnell's apparent alignment to Biden on vaccines places him at odds with right-wing party members. Many of these people have criticised vaccine mandates and even doubted the safety and efficacy.
Important Background
Rochelle Walensky (director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) recommended last week booster shots for seniors and high-risk workers. This recommendation overruled a narrower recommendation by a CDC advisory board. Walenskys recommendation is that healthy Americans over 65 get the booster. McConnell, 80 and Biden, 78 are eligible.
Important Quote
We are grateful to Senator McConnell for his leadership. After McConnell had spent his congressional recess, the White House tweeted that it was important for every American to get vaccinated.
