MSNBC Doctor Says Everyone Older Than 6 Months Needs COVID Booster

 Public health commentator Vin Gupta recommended on Tuesday that everyone over six months of age get boosted against COVID.

During an appearance on MSNBC, where he is a medical contributor, Dr. Gupta alluded to the emergence of new variants amid a reported uptick in cases across the country when asked who needs to get a booster and when.

“All of us need boosters … at six months of age and up,” Gupta said. “We’re gonna have boosters by the end of this month, hopefully, and those will protect — we believe very strongly — against these new versions of the virus.”

Gupta added that the virus “will continue to change” before moving on to talk about vaccine recommendations for people older than 60 or people who are medically at higher risk.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention does recommend that everyone in the United States six months and older get vaccinated against COVID and that people stay up to date.

Vaccine manufacturers Moderna, Pfizer, and Novavax are expected to roll out new versions of the jab later this month after advisers to the Food and Drug Administration recommended revised shots that target Omicron spinoff XBB.1.5 for the fall.

 

Still, Gupta faced a wave of backlash on social media as conservative media accounts shared a clip on X, with several commenters saying they had no intention of following his advice.

“Not getting a booster! It does not work! Left wing lies!” said Fox News contributor Leo Terrell. “We won’t give up our freedoms again. No more tyrannical vaccine or mask mandates,” said Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ).

Some high-profile figures made headlines this week for catching COVID, including “The View’s” Whoopi Goldberg. First lady Jill Biden also tested positive for COVID and is experiencing mild symptoms, her office announced on Monday.

The White House said President Joe Biden has so far tested negative for COVID this week, but Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said the commander-in-chief will be masking indoors and socially distancing from people.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, who is President Biden’s former chief medical adviser, appeared in a CNN interview over the weekend in which he was confronted over a study that raised doubts about face masks being able to curb the spread of COVID. The longtime health official pushed back, claiming other studies emphasize the importance of individual responsibility, and raised concerns about people not adhering to health recommendations.