President Biden will undergo coronavirus testing every two weeks as a precaution despite receiving his second dose of the vaccine earlier this year, the White House said Wednesday.
“There is 95 percent protection from the vaccine, but it’s not 100 percent protection,” White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters. “So the president’s doctor believes it is reasonable and prudent to randomly test the president every two weeks as surveillance.”
Biden was last tested for the virus Thursday and was negative, Psaki said.
The president was tested far more frequently during the campaign and transition. He received two doses of the Pfizer vaccine on camera, with his second dose being administered last month.
The vaccine provides 95 percent protection against infection, according to trial data, with the full protection kicking in a few weeks after an individual receives their second dose.
Several senior White House officials have since been given vaccine doses, but the Biden administration has taken additional steps to try to avoid transmission of the virus. Staffers wear masks around the building, and some officials are working remotely at the outset of the administration.
Former President Trump was tested daily while in office during the early months of the pandemic, but it became less frequent as time went on. The lack of regular testing sparked controversy when Trump contracted the virus in late September, as it made it difficult to know when he was first positive.