US President Joe Biden said on Wednesday that coronavirus booster shots will be available starting the week of September 20. The shots will be free and will be provided to people eight months after they received their second shot of the vaccine, Biden said. Speaking at the White House, the president downplayed criticism that Americans would be getting additional protection against COVID-19 while much of the world still waits for their first vaccination shots. "There's some world leaders who say America shouldn't get a third shot until other countries got their first shot--I disagree," Biden said in Wednesday remarks at the White House. "We can take care of America and help the world at the same time." Biden also said that all nursing homes will have to require staff members to be vaccinated to keep receiving Medicare and Medicaid funding, which will affect about 15,000 nursing homes and more than 1.3 million employees. He announced that he was directing the Education Department to use its legal authority against Republican governors who are trying to block local school officials from requiring students to wear masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Biden said some politicians are trying to turn public safety measures into "political disputes for their own political gain" and warned that they are "setting a dangerous tone." Biden said he had directed Education Secretary Miguel Cardona to wield his oversight authority and take legal action "if appropriate." "We're not going to sit by as governors try to block and intimidate educators protecting our children," Biden added. — Agencies
