Vice President Mike Pence received a coronavirus vaccine dose in a televised White House event Friday morning, calling it “a medical miracle.”
Pence is the highest-ranking U.S. official to receive a dose of Pfizer-BioNTech’s vaccine, which was found to 95 percent effective in trials.
“I didn’t feel a thing. Well done,” Pence told the medical staff at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.
WATCH: The moment Vice President Pence, second lady Karen Pence and Surgeon General Jerome Adams publicly receive their COVID-19 vaccine shots https://t.co/plzKpT9bWq pic.twitter.com/Mlo1dDX6Vo
— CBS News (@CBSNews) December 18, 2020
While journalists, so-called experts, and verified Twitter users cast doubt on President Donald Trump and Operation Warp Speed’s efforts to ensure the creation, production, and distribution of a safe and effective vaccine, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) voted last week to approve Pfizer’s vaccine for emergency use and mass distribution.
In his address on Friday morning, Pence reassured the public that the vaccine is safe and effective.
“Hope is on the way,” Pence said. “The American people can be confident.”
“We have one, and perhaps within hours, two safe vaccines,” he added, noting the pending FDA approval of Moderna’s coronavirus vaccine.
We want to ensure every American: While we cut red tape, we have cut no corners when it comes to the development of this SAFE and EFFECTIVE vaccine. pic.twitter.com/aKAEzxUVd6
— Mike Pence (@Mike_Pence) December 18, 2020
Shortly after technicians vaccinated Pence, his wife Karen, and U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams also publicly received a dose of the vaccine in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on camera.
“Karen and I were more than happy to step forward before this week was out to take this safe and effective coronavirus vaccine,” Pence said. “It’s a truly inspiring day.”
Former Presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush, and Bill Clinton have all also volunteered to receive the COVID-19 vaccine in the public eye once it is available to them with hopes to boost Americans’ confidence.
