WASHINGTON - The White House hosted a press briefing Tuesday at 2 p.m. to discuss the recent Covid-19 issues effecting the country. 

Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease and Chief Medical Advisor to the President Dr. Anthony Fauci discussed the effectiveness of all of the available Covid-19 vaccines. Fauci reiterates the belief that receiving the vaccine well before an infection can significantly decrease chances of getting severely ill from Covid-19. 

Since the Pfizer vaccine is now fully approved by the Food Drug Administration, the White House is hoping that more Americans will become vaccinated.

Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy believes that the FDA approval of Pfizer will instill confidence within American's who have been hesitant about becoming vaccinated or who have questioned the reliability of the vaccine. 

Dr. Murthy also believes that the approval will help businesses and schools to be able to move forward with vaccine requirements. The approval will give these institutions another reason as to why they require the vaccine. 

With the approval of the Pfizer vaccine, officials are hoping this will help open community conversations about the safety of the vaccine. Dr. Murthy trusts that conversations from local trusted sources will help encourage people to trust the vaccine. 

Dr. Murthy urges people to get vaccinated for the benefit of your community, children who can't get vaccinated and health care workers who have worked extensively throughout the pandemic. 

With schools returning to in person classes across the country, mask mandates in school are increasing to protect students and staff.

White House Covid-19 Response Coordinator Jeff Zients asserts that the Federal government will support governors who will implement mask mandates in schools. Zients calls for governors to put political and self interests aside and to do the right thing. 

Director of the CDC, Dr. Rochelle Walensky also urges pregnant people to get vaccinated. 

76% of pregnant people are unvaccinated while Covid-19 cases have risen severely amongst pregnant people. Dr. Walensky ensures that it is safe for people to get the vaccine even if they are pregnant. Pregnant people who contract Covid-19 have an increased chance of severity not only for themselves but for their baby as well. 

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists also support people getting the vaccine while pregnant. 

Dr. Fauci believes that American's can return to a normal life in Spring of 2022, if not sooner, if more people get vaccinated. Dr. Fauci claims that the American people have the capability to end the pandemic themselves before Spring 2022. 

The Federal government is willing to take additional measures to ensure that American's get the vaccine and to prove transparency with the vaccine process by requiring nursing homes, military personnel and V.A. hospital workers to get vaccinated. 

Jeff Zients also mentioned that the Justice Department confirmed that vaccine requirements are legal. 

Plans for a 8 month Covid-19 booster shot are pending, with the Federal government wanting to give states and pharmacies time to plan. 

Even though Covid-19 has been proven to be unpredictable, Dr. Murthy explains that they are trying to stay ahead of the curve with the booster.