The White House press secretary poked fun at him for

The White House press secretary poked fun at him for suggesting a COVID vaccine while doing Christmas shopping

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre has been mocked online after she suggested Americans remember their own self-care while shopping this holiday season – by treating themselves to a COVID vaccine.

“When you’re doing your Christmas shopping for your friends and family, don’t forget to take care of yourself, too,” the spokesman said tweeted on Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, when US shoppers usually start their holiday shopping.

“From buying that special something for yourself to getting your updated COVID and flu vaccines, take care of yourself this holiday season,” she continued.

The backlash was swift online, with many Twitter users quick to dismiss her proposal.

“A spoonful of sugar from Karine ‘Care Bear’ Jean-Pierre,” one user sneered.

It comes just days after White House officials announced a renewed push for more Americans to get the latest footage.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre has been mocked after she suggested Americans treat themselves to COVID vaccines when they go Christmas shopping.  On Tuesday, Jean-Pierre and Senior White House Medical Advisor Dr.  Anthony Fauci, a renewed push for vaccines

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre has been mocked after she suggested Americans treat themselves to COVID vaccines when they go Christmas shopping. On Tuesday, Jean-Pierre and Senior White House Medical Advisor Dr. Anthony Fauci, a renewed push for vaccines

When White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre reminded Americans of the vaccine on Twitter on Friday, many pushed back and taunted them over the proposal

When White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre reminded Americans of the vaccine on Twitter on Friday, many pushed back and taunted them over the proposal

The backlash was swift online, with many Twitter users quick to dismiss her proposal

The backlash was swift online, with many Twitter users quick to dismiss her proposal

Americans who received the updated COVID-19 booster shots are better protected from symptomatic infections than those who haven’t — at least for now, U.S. health officials said Tuesday.

Updated boosters introduced by Pfizer and rival Moderna in September have been a tough sell for vaccine-weary Americans. So far, only about 13 percent of US adults have received a “bivalent” vaccine targeting the Omicron strain and the original coronavirus.

When President Biden’s press secretary reminded Americans of the vaccine on Twitter on Friday, many opposed the proposal.

One Twitter user mocked her and the numerous boosters, writing: “Yes Chancellor Pierre. This year, my Secret Santa gift will be a COVID Vaccine Gift Card valid for unlimited booster shots!’

Another joked: “Because it’s the season of giving I’m going to donate my Covid vaccine to you, you can stick it anywhere you want.”

One responded that she should focus her time and energy elsewhere: “Better yet, think of all the less privileged people out there in the cold and war zones and do something for them.”

One mocked her and the numerous boosters by writing:

One mocked her and the numerous boosters by writing: “Yes Chancellor Pierre. This year, my Secret Santa gift will be a COVID Vaccine Gift Card valid for unlimited booster shots!’

Another joked:

Another joked: “Because it’s the season of giving I’m going to donate my Covid vaccine to you, you can stick it anywhere you want.”

Covid vaccines and boosters were pushed by White House officials earlier this week.

The first look at the effectiveness of the new vaccines in real life shows that they work, said Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s leading infectious disease expert.

Speaking at a White House briefing that is expected to be his last before leaving the government later this year, Fauci said, “Perhaps the last message I give you from this podium is: please, for your own safety, to that of your family, you will receive your updated COVID-19 vaccination as soon as you are eligible.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention analyzed about 360,000 COVID-19 tests given to people with coronavirus-like symptoms at drugstores across the country between September, when the new boosters were introduced, and early November. The researchers compared the vaccination status of those who ended up having COVID-19 to those who didn’t.

The new Omicron targeting booster added 30 to 56 percent protection against symptomatic infections, depending on how many previous vaccinations someone had, how long ago and how old they are, the CDC concluded.

The first look at the effectiveness of the new vaccines in real life shows that they work, said Dr.  Anthony Fauci, the nation's leading infectious disease expert

The first look at the effectiveness of the new vaccines in real life shows that they work, said Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s leading infectious disease expert

People who get the most benefit are those who have never had a booster before, only two doses of the original COVID-19 vaccine at least eight months prior, Dr. CDC’s Ruth Link-Gelles, who led the study.

But even people who got a booster shot of the original vaccine in the summer before looking for the new fall formula were 30% to 40% better protected than if they had skipped that last shot, she said.

“We look at it as an added benefit or an incremental benefit from another dose, and in this case that another dose is bivalent,” Link-Gelles said.

The updated boosters target the Omicron strain BA.5, which until recently was the most common type, in an attempt to build on the protection provided by the original COVID-19 vaccines as the virus continues to mutate.

A nurse at the Jackson-Hinds Comprehensive Health Center loads a syringe with a Moderna COVID-19 booster vaccine on Nov. 18.  Moderna recently announced early evidence that its updated booster vaccine induced BQ.1.1 neutralizing antibodies

A nurse at the Jackson-Hinds Comprehensive Health Center loads a syringe with a Moderna COVID-19 booster vaccine on Nov. 18. Moderna recently announced early evidence that its updated booster vaccine induced BQ.1.1 neutralizing antibodies

The original vaccinations provided strong protection against serious illness and death, regardless of variant, but protection against minor infections is waning. The CDC analysis only tracked the first few months of use of the new booster shot, so it’s too early to know how long the added protection against symptomatic infections will last.

But “as the holiday season begins, I would personally want the utmost protection when I see my parents and grandparents,” Link-Gelles said. “The protection from infection there is going to be really helpful because you would potentially prevent a grandparent or other loved one from getting sick.”

Even protection against serious diseases dipped somewhat as BA.5 surged, which is why health officials have urged older adults and others at high risk not to skip the new boost.

To that end, the Biden administration announced a six-week campaign urging people — particularly seniors — to get the boosters and said the shots could save lives as Americans gather for the holiday.