Nancy Pelosi and Mitch Mcconnell received the COVID-19 vaccine, setting the example for Congress
Doctor urges others in Congress to follow suit
WASHINGTON — The legislative branch of government is rapidly moving to receive the coronavirus vaccine, with both House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Mitch Mcconnell getting the shot Friday and the top Capitol doctor urging all members of Congress to join them.
Both Pelosi and Mcconnell tweeted photos of themselves receiving the vaccine from the Capitol physician, Dr. Brian Monahan. He informed lawmakers Thursday evening that they are all eligible for the shots under government continuity guidelines and asked members of the House and Senate to make appointments with his office to be vaccinated.
The leaders’ vaccinations came hours after Vice President Mike Pence received the shot on live television and called it a “medical miracle.” The public displays come as top U.S. health officials are trying to convince regular Americans who may be skeptical of the vaccinations to get them and allow the country to rebound from the pandemic.
“Today, with confidence in science & at the direction of the Office of the Attending Physician, I received the COVID-19 vaccine,” Pelosi tweeted.
“As the vaccine is being distributed, we must all continue mask wearing, social distancing & other science-based steps to save lives & crush the virus.”
The speaker said in October that she does not like getting shots and even had a hard time getting her ears pieced. “They have to talk me into the flu shot under great duress each year,” she said. “But if it serves as a model to other people, yes, I would take the vaccine if it is approved by regular order.”
Mcconnell tweeted that he had “just received the safe, effective COVID vaccine following continuity-of-government protocols. Vaccines are how we beat this virus.”