Harris reflects on ‘full circle’ moment after receiving dose of vaccine at NIH building frequented by late mother

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“I have the luxury of being here right now just on the fifth day of our administration – it’s come full circle because, you see, the NIH was so much a part of my youth that this place my mom went to all the time and was very excited to be working, ”recalls Harris moments after receiving her photo.

Harris’ mother, Shyamala Gopalan, was a breast cancer researcher who had “two goals in her life,” the vice president said: “Raise two daughters and end breast cancer. In fact, a little known fact, my first job was cleaning the pipettes in my mother’s lab. “

Gopalan, who raised her daughters as a single mother, died in 2009. Harris often remembered her mother’s profound influence on her life both in and outside politics. After becoming the first black and South Asian woman to be nominated for a major party presidential ticket this summer, Harris said, “I know she’s looking at me from above.”

Speaking to NIH employees on Tuesday as she reflected on her mother’s passion for science, Harris added, “The importance of NIH is that it is a core function of government, which is to provide for public health. “

“The work happening here has one goal: to improve public health. And the importance of continuing the work that is happening at NIH is not about profit. It’s about people. And so I want to tell everyone who works here., I know who you are. I know what you do, “she continued.

“I know you’re working around the clock with these experiments that need to be checked every few hours, and they don’t care what time it is. I know the work you do and the collaboration that is required. “

Harris also received his first dose of the vaccine on camera last month. She reiterated on Tuesday that the shot was “really quite painless” and urged everyone “to take the vaccine when it’s your turn”.

“It will save your life. Thank you to everyone who is doing this great and important work. Let’s make sure everyone gets the vaccine. On behalf of President Biden and myself, thank you for everything you do. every day.”

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