Members of Congress start receiving vaccine
Including some in Michigan’s delegation
Members of Congress are beginning to receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine in Washington D.C., hours after lawmakers and essential staff received a directive from the attending physician of the U.S. Congress and the Supreme Court.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., received their coronavirus vaccinations Friday afternoon, administered by the Capitol’s leading doctor as part of a plan he said is designed to preserve continuity of government.
On Thursday, Brian Monahan, the attending physician of the U.S. Congress and the Supreme Court, sent out a notice to members of Congress and staff, urging them to get the vaccine as soon as possible.
“I have been informed by the National Security Council that consistent with Presidential Policy Directive 40 (2016), Congress and the Supreme Court, along with Executive Branch agencies, will be provided with a specific number of COVID-19 vaccine doses to meet long-standing requirements for continuity of government operations... My recommendation to you is absolutely unequivocal: there is no reason why you should defer receiving this vaccine. The benefit far exceeds any small risk.”
U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-Michigan), 70, received her first dose of the COVID-19 on Friday as well.
“At the strong recommendation of the Attending Physician of the U.S. Congress and the National Security Council, Senator Stabenow received the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine that is proudly manufactured in Michigan. She is confident in the safety of the vaccine and encourages every American to be vaccinated as we move forward,” said spokesperson Robyn Bryan.
U.S. Rep. Andy Levin (DBloomfield Township), 60, will receive the vaccine Saturday in D.C. Other members of Michigan’s congressional delegation are expected to receive the vaccine soon.
“The Attending Physician has advised that Members of Congress, and next essential staff, should receive the safe and effective Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for continuity of government operations,” he said. “As such, I am following my doctor’s orders and will be receiving the vaccine Saturday morning.”
Levin said he encourages every one of his constituents to heed this advice and take the vaccine as soon as it’s made available to them. He added that he will continue to push for the rapid production and successful deployment of the vaccine in Michigan and across the country “so everyone can participate in this life-saving, patriotic project as quickly and safely as possible.”
U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens (DRochester Hills) received the vaccine Friday night around 7 p.m., a spokesperson confirmed for The Oakland Press.
Shortly after receiving the vaccine, Stevens wrote on Twitter, “I trust our scientists and doctors who affirm that the vaccine is safe and effective, and that every American should get vaccinated. I am working every day to support the production and equitable distribution of the vaccine so it can be available to everyone very soon. As the vaccine is distributed, we must stay safe by following all pubic health guidelines, social distancing, and wearing a mask.”
Pelosi, 80, was administered the vaccine from Monahan. Her vaccination came just hours after Vice President Mike Pence received a dose at the White House complex on live television in a bid to build public confidence in the safety of coronavirus vaccines.
Pelosi wrote in a tweet that she received the shot “with confidence in science and at the direction of the Office of the Attending Physician.”
“As the vaccine is being distributed, we must all continue mask wearing, social distancing & other science-based steps to save lives & crush the virus,” she added in a tweet.
The vaccination issue has vexed some members of Congress since the Food and Drug Administration gave emergency approval for the Pfizer-manufactured vaccine last week. They have publicly expressed a desire to model good behavior and reassure the public that they should get the shots, but they have feared such a move would be seen as a special perk for members of Congress.
McConnell, 78, also tweeted shortly after his vaccination, which was administered by Monahan.
“Just received the safe, effective COVID vaccine following continuity-of-government protocols. Vaccines are how we beat this virus,” said McConnell, a polio survivor.
In a second letter to congressional leaders, Monahan’s office spelled out that all lawmakers will receive the vaccine. “Once we have completed the vaccination of the Members, we will follow a process to identify the continuity-essential staff members in the various divisions of the Capitol community in the coming weeks,” he wrote.