Amid reluctance by some Americans to receive COVID-19 vaccine because of safety and efficacy concerns, the Vice President of the United State, Mike Pence, has become the highest-profile government official to receive the vaccine.
Pence, 61-years old on Friday morning received a televised COVID-19 vaccination, alongside his wife Karen Pence and Surgeon General Jerome Adams. They all received the jab at the televised White House event.
“We gather here today at the end of a historic week to affirm to the American people that hope is on the way,” he told the crowd.
“Karen and I were more than happy to step forward before this week was out to take this safe and effective coronavirus vaccine that we have secured and produced for the American people,” he continued, calling it “a truly inspiring day”.
The United State had on Monday begun rolling out the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine which is the first vaccine to be approved in the US. It is said to offer up to 95% protection against Covid-19.
Pfizer’s vaccine is currently being distributed to high-risk health care workers, while the Moderna’s vaccine is expected to reach arms before the end of the month as well.
The US has been the worst hit by the pandemic in Europe recording more infections and fatalities than any other country, with a daily record surpassing 3,000 for the third day in a row. More than 310,000 people have died of the virus in the US with more than 17 million cases being recorded since the start of the pandemic.
President-elect Joe Biden, 78 years, considered to be in a high-risk group from Covid-19, is expected to be vaccinated next week.
Though President Trump who recently recovered from the virus said he was not scheduled to take the jab but looked forward to doing so “at the appropriate time”
