Fully vaccinated White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki announced that she has COVID-19 for a second time after only a few months.
The news comes just as US President Joe Biden prepares to travel to Europe to discuss the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Both Biden and Psaki are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. After receiving a test on Tuesday, Biden revealed that he had not contracted COVID-19.
“Today, in preparation for travel to Europe, I took a PCR test this morning. That test came back positive, which means I will be adhering to CDC guidance and no longer be travelling on the President’s trip to Europe,” Psaki wrote in a statement.
“I had two socially-distanced meetings with the President yesterday, and the President is not considered a close contact as defined by CDC guidance. I am sharing the news of my positive test today out of an abundance of transparency.”
Even though this is the second time Psaki has contracted the virus since being vaccinated, she thanked the COVID-19 vaccine for saving her from harsher symptoms. Paski first contracted the virus in October.
“Thanks to the vaccine, I have only experienced mild symptoms. In alignment with White House COVID-19 protocols, I will work from home and plan to return to work in person at the conclusion of a five-day isolation period and a negative test,” wrote Psaki.
Psaki is not the only fully vaccinated high-level US official who recently tested positive for COVID-19.
Approximately two weeks ago, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas also caught COVID-19 after an event with the President.
