Biden Receives COVID-19 Vaccine

President-elect Joe Biden received his first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine on Monday. The event was broadcasted live from Delaware in the hopes that it would instill trust in the vaccine.

Biden received the vaccine at ChristianaCare’s Christiana Hospital in Newark Delaware. A nurse practitioner, who is also the head of employee health services, Tabe Mase, administered the shot.

Jill Biden, the president elect’s wife, also received the vaccine earlier in the day.

Many, including Biden, hoped that by broadcasting his vaccination, it will ease the worries of many Americans regarding the new vaccines. “I’m doing this to demonstrate that people should be prepared when it’s available to take the vaccine, there’s nothing to worry about,” he said.

The president-elect also expressed gratitude to all the people involved in the development and distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine. “We owe these folks an awful lot,” he said.

Today, I received the COVID-19 vaccine.

To the scientists and researchers who worked tirelessly to make this possible — thank you. We owe you an awful lot.

And to the American people — know there is nothing to worry about. When the vaccine is available, I urge you to take it. pic.twitter.com/QBtB620i2V

— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) December 22, 2020

Biden also acknowledged the role of the Trump administration in making the development of the vaccines possible through its Operation Warp Speed.

Just the Beginning

Biden also reminded people that the release of the vaccine is just the beginning of the road to recovery. He said that it will take some time before the country can fully recover. He also reminded the people to follow instructions from public health officials, which includes wearing face masks and social distancing.

Apart from the president-elect, other notable political officials have also received the vaccine. Last week, lawmakers have received their first shots, including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Vice President Mike Pence also got the COVID-19 vaccine in a televised event last Friday.

The president-elect has already laid out his plans for fighting the pandemic. A part of it is the distribution of 100 million vaccine doses which is good for 50 million people. He plans to accomplish this within his first 100 days in office.

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