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Fauci urges Americans — one last time — to get the updated COVID-19 booster
the nation's top infectious disease expert who became a household name — and the subject of partisan attacks — during the COVID-19 pandemic, announced this summer his retirement from the federal government. On Tuesday, he appeared at the White House podium to give likely his final message to Americans. His words came familiar and consistent messaging — get your COVID shot. The particular COVID shot that Fauci is referring to this time is a tweaked version of the vaccine, the second booster shot known as the bivalent booster.The first look at the new shots' real-world effectiveness shows they work, he explained."So my message, and what may be my final message from this podium," he added with his signature smile, "please, for your own safety, get your updated COVID-19 shot."The COVID-19 pandemic introduced Fauci to millions of Americans, though he's given straight talk to the nation about numerous other outbreaks including HIV/AIDS, SARS, pandemic flu, Ebola and the 2001 anthrax attacks.He directs the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, is chief medical adviser to President Joe Biden and also leads a lab studying the immune system.In announcing his departure, the 81-year-old Fauci called his roles "the honor of a lifetime" but said it was time "to pursue the next chapter of my career."Dr.