Dr. Anthony Fauci urges further vaccination in his final briefing

Dr. Anthony Fauci appeared at his final press briefing on Tuesday as he prepares to leave his government position.

Fauci said “the final message I give you from this podium is that please, for your own safety, for that of your family, get your updated Covid-19 shot as soon as you’re eligible.”

Fauci also told NBC News earlier that day: “The idea that this may be very likely the last time I’m in that press briefing room is kind of sad. Sad, and yet with the full realization and appreciation that all things must pass. Things can’t go on forever.”

Fauci is the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, and has been in his position since 1984.

Fauci was asked about his service under Presidents Joe Biden and Donald Trump, but declined to go into specifics.

“I’d prefer not to get into that,” Fauci said in response. “The attacks and blowback I get are just not worth it.”

The White House recently announced a “six-week sprint” aiming to persuade more Americans to receive an updated COVID booster shot by the end of the year.

White House Coronavirus Response Coordinator Dr. Ashish Jha said at the briefing: “Bottom line is that we’re doing everything we can in the next six weeks to help families get their updated COVID shots by the end of the year, because it’s the best protection for this winter.”

He added that the COVID-19 vaccine will likely become a “once a year shot,” similar to the flu shot.

“Now, while I’m encouraged by the work that so many are doing, we need everybody to step up. We need to make protecting our loved ones an important part of the conversation we have around the Thanksgiving table, an important part of the conversation we have in the days and weeks ahead,” Jha said.

“Because here’s what we know: If folks get their updated vaccines, and they get treated, if they have a breakthrough infection, we can prevent essentially every COVID death in America.”