Gillibrand, Pence, Mcconnell vaccinated
Trump still benefiting from antibody cocktail but plans to get his shot
U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand joined the small, but growing number of Americans being vaccinated against the coronavirus, when the immunization became available to members of Congress at the U.S. Capitol Friday.
Vice President Mike Pence, second lady Karen Pence and U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams received the PfizerBiontech vaccine Friday morning in a televised event. Senate Majority Leader Mitch Mcconnell, R-KY., and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D -Calif., also got their shots on Capitol Hill and urged the American public to be immunized when they can.
President Donald J. Trump is also expected to get a coronavirus vaccine. He is still benefiting from an antibody cocktail he received when diagnosed with COVID -19 and White House doctors have not advised him to be vaccinated yet. President-elect Joe Biden plans to get his first shot next week.
Gillibrand received her vaccine based on the guidance of the Capitol’s Office of the Attending Physician, said Evan Lukakse, Gillibrand’s communications director.
“She believes it is important to potentially protect her family and staff around her, as well as to show hesitant New Yorkers that the vaccine is safe and vaccination is a responsible thing to do for the community,” Lukakse said.
Pelosi told House members Thursday night in a letter: “According to government continuity guidelines, congressional leadership has been informed by the Office of the Attending Physician that members of the House and Senate are eligible for a COVID -19 vaccine. The attending physician further stated to members ‘My recommendation to you is absolutely unequivocal: there is no reason why you should defer receiving this vaccine.’”
But some members of Congress are opting not to get the vaccine right away because they do not want to cut the line ahead of their constituents, aides confirmed.
Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer, D -N.Y, did not immediately respond to an inquiry about when he would be vaccinated.
U.S. Rep. Paul Tonko, D - Amsterdam, intends to get his shot in the coming days, according to his spokesman Matt Sonneburn.
In New York, only health care workers and National Guard members helping with virus response are eligible to be vaccinated. Nursing home residents and staff will be immunized starting Monday.