WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden known as on Congress to move billions of {dollars} in extra funding to struggle the COVID-19 pandemic on Wednesday, as he obtained a second booster dose of the Pfizer vaccine a day after federal regulators accredited a fourth shot for these aged 50 and older.

Biden spoke as his administration rolled out COVID.gov, designed to be a one-stop web site to assist individuals in the USA entry COVID-19 exams, vaccines and coverings, together with standing updates on an infection charges the place they dwell. Biden pressed lawmakers to supply extra funding “instantly” to make sure continued provide of the instruments which have helped the nation start to emerge from the pandemic.

“Congress, we have to safe extra provide now,” he mentioned, warning of shortages of vaccines, exams and coverings. “This is not partisan, it is drugs.”

Biden, 79, obtained the primary sequence of two doses of the coronavirus vaccine shortly earlier than taking workplace and a primary booster shot in September. The extra booster dose was administered by a member of the White Home Medical Unit.

“It did not damage a bit,” Biden mentioned.

The extra booster is supposed to beef up the physique’s safety in opposition to COVID-19 in populations most susceptible to the coronavirus, which has killed greater than 975,000 individuals within the U.S.

On Tuesday, the Meals and Drug Administration and the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention cleared the way in which for an additional shot for anybody 50 and older, who can get the extra booster at the very least 4 months after their final vaccination. Severely immune-compromised sufferers, resembling organ transplant recipients, as younger as 12, are additionally eligible.

“We’ve got sufficient provide to provide booster photographs, but when Congress fails to behave we cannot have the provides we want this Fall,” Biden warned, noting the chance that regulators will approve a fourth shot for all People.

A subvariant of the extremely transmissible omicron that scientists name BA.2 is now the dominant coronavirus mutant in the USA. It accounted for practically 55% of latest infections throughout the nation final week and an excellent better proportion within the Northeast, based on the newest knowledge from the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention.

Scientists say one purpose BA.2 has gained floor is that it is about 30% extra contagious than the unique omicron. In uncommon circumstances, analysis exhibits it will possibly sicken individuals even when they’ve already had an omicron an infection. However it does not appear to trigger extra extreme illness than the unique, and vaccines seem simply as efficient in opposition to it.

The unvaccinated, although, are at a far better danger.