President-elect Joe Biden publicly received his first dose of a coronavirus vaccine Monday, joining several other political leaders who were vaccinated within the past week.
Biden was vaccinated at ChristianaCare Hospital in Newark, Delaware, following Vice President Mike Pence, second lady Karen Pence and Surgeon General Jerome Adams, who all received their first doses of the two-shot vaccine Friday.
“I’m doing this to demonstrate that people should be prepared when it’s available to take the vaccine,” Biden said afterward. “There’s nothing to worry about.”
Biden’s wife, Jill, also received the shot earlier in the day.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) got their first shots Friday, as well.
The 78-year-old Biden’s age puts him at higher risk of severe symptoms should he become infected with COVID-19, the potentially deadly respiratory disease caused by the novel coronavirus.
The White House hasn’t indicated when President Trump or first lady Melania Trump will get their shots. The Trumps were diagnosed with the coronavirus in October.
Vice President-elect Kamala Harris will receive her vaccinations next week, NPR reported.
