Dr. Anthony Fauci gives final White House COVID-19 briefing | USA TODAY

Dr. Anthony Fauci, the public face of the nation's COVID-19 response, delivered one final message Tuesday before he retires at the end of the year. "Please for your own safety and for that of your family, get your updated COVID-19 shot as soon as you're eligible," Fauci said.

Fauci, set to step down as director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and President Joe Biden's chief medical adviser, addressed reporters at the White House press briefing room for what's expected to be the final time. His departure will conclude 54 years at the institute and 38 years as director.

"I gave it all I got for many decades," said Fauci, who has been lauded by the health community but made a top target by Republicans for restrictions he pushed to halt the spread of the coronavirus.