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WASHINGTON – House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell have said they will receive the Covid-19 vaccine within days to ensure continuity of government during the pandemic.
In addition to the two leaders, all members of Congress will be able to receive the coronavirus vaccine produced by Pfizer Inc.
and BioNTech SE in Germany in the coming days, according to a letter sent to lawmakers Thursday by congressional doctor Brian Monahan. He said he was informed by the National Security Council that vaccines were available to members of Congress, the executive branch and the Supreme Court.
Dr Monahan urged lawmakers to make an appointment for the vaccine at the Capitol complex. Once lawmakers are vaccinated, congressional staff will be eligible.
Mr. McConnell (R., Ky.) And Ms. Pelosi (D., Calif.) Encouraged the public to be vaccinated when eligible.
“I’m disappointed to see the early public sentiment that shows some reluctance to receive a vaccine,” McConnell said, citing a recent Associated Press and NORC Center for Public Affairs poll which showed that only about half of Americans want the vaccine. “As a polio survivor, I know both the fear of an illness and the extraordinary promise of hope that vaccines bring.”
Ms Pelosi said she would continue to wear a mask and take other steps to reduce the risk of infection after receiving the vaccine.
Lawmakers, who travel frequently and are responsible for passing laws to respond to the pandemic, have debated whether or not they should get it early, as essential staff.
Dr Monahan encouraged all members of Congress to receive the vaccine, whether or not they have already had Covid-19. In bold text in his letter to all lawmakers, he wrote: “My recommendation to you is absolutely unequivocal: there is no reason for you to delay getting this vaccine. The benefit far outweighs any small risk. “
For those worried about getting ahead of frontline healthcare workers and first responders, Dr Monahan said Congress will receive a small portion of the doses available across the country.
National Security Council spokesman John Ullyot said earlier this week that senior officials from all three branches of government would be receiving vaccinations due to security protocols established in 2016. The policy was aimed at establishing continuity requirements and applies to officers and staff of all branches of government.
“The American people need to be sure that they are receiving the same safe and effective vaccine as senior United States government officials on the advice of public health professionals and national security leaders,” Mr. Ullyot.
Lawmakers are also planning to obtain the vaccine to boost public confidence in the vaccine, which was approved by the Food and Drug Administration last week. Vice President Mike Pence is expected to put his vaccine on camera on Friday morning, along with Second Lady Karen Pence and Surgeon General Jerome Adams. President-elect Joe Biden and Vice-President-elect Kamala Harris are expected to receive the vaccine early next week.
More than 40 members of Congress have tested positive for the coronavirus. Democratic Representative Cedric Richmond of Louisiana and Alabama Republican Mike Rogers were the last to announce on Thursday that they had Covid-19.
Write to Natalie Andrews at [email protected]
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Appeared in the print edition of December 18, 2020 under the headline “ McConnell, Pelosi will get quick vaccinations. ”
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