Veep is top vaxed VIP
Vice President Mike Pence on Friday became the highest-ranking government official to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, getting an injection during a live TV event designed to instill confidence in the American public that the newly approved shot is safe.
The veep, Second Lady Karen Pence and Surgeon General Jerome Adams took turns getting jabbed at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building near the White House.
“Make no mistake about it. It’s a medical miracle,” said Pence (left), 61.
“Today, Karen and I wanted to step forward and take this vaccine to assure the American people while we cut red tape, we cut no corners,” he added.
The legislative branch quickly followed, with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell each announcing that they had been vaccinated later Friday.
Both Pelosi, 80, who follows Pence in the line of presidential succession, and McConnell, 78, tweeted photos of themselves receiving the vaccine.
“Today, with confidence in science & at the direction of the Office of the Attending Physician, I received the COV
ID-19 vaccine,” Pelosi wrote.
“As the vaccine is being distributed, we must all continue mask wearing, social distancing & other science-based steps to save lives & crush the virus.”
McConnell has spoken about his battle with childhood polio and on Thursday said he personally knows “both the fear of a disease and the extraordinary promise of hope that vaccines bring.”
The Capitol doctor has informed all members of the House and Senate that they are eligible for the shot under government continuity guidelines.
Lawmakers were asked to make appointments with his office to be vaccinated, but it was unclear if all 535 members would choose to get the shot.
President-elect Joe Biden, 78, and his wife, Jill, 69, are set to receive the inoculation on Monday. Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, 56, and her husband, Doug Emhoff, also 56, will get it the following week.
President Trump, 74, had not yet gotten the vaccine. On Monday, he tweeted: “I am not scheduled to take the vaccine, but look forward to doing so at the appropriate time.”