Dr. Anthony Fauci, the country’s leading infectious disease expert, rolled up his sleeves Tuesday to receive a dose of the Modern coronavirus vaccine, saying he wanted to reassure Americans that treatment was safe and encouraging. them to get it themselves.
Fauci was inoculated along with Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar, Director of National Institutes of Health Francis Collins, and other front-line health workers at the NIH Clinical Center at the Bethesda, Md.
Fauci, a member of the White House coronavirus working group, said his reasons for getting the vaccine were twofold.
“One of the things is that I am an attending physician here on the staff of the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center. And so I see patients, ”he said as he sat down to receive the shot.
“But as important or more important is as a symbol for the rest of the country that I feel extremely confident in the safety and effectiveness of this vaccine and I want to encourage everyone who has the opportunity to get vaccinated so that we can have a veil of protection over this country, which would put an end to this pandemic, ”he said.
After receiving the shot in the left arm, Fauci, who turns 80 on Thursday, gave a thumbs-up signal.
Azar, who was shot moments before Fauci, nodded to Operation Trump’s Warp Speed Operation “to get us to this point where we can now see the light tunnel of this dark period “.
Both Azar and Fauci wore masks when inoculated.
“What we are seeing now is the culmination of years of research, which have led to a phenomenon that has really been unprecedented. And that must go beyond the realization that we are facing a new pathogen, a virus that is described January of this year, less than a year after having vaccines that will go to so many people, including myself, “Fauci said in statements shortly before receiving the vaccine.
“Therefore, I consider it an honor to be a part of this process,” he added.
Azar said the development of a safe and effective vaccination so quickly was “nothing short of miraculous” and thanked those who were at the forefront of the effort.
“When we need a medical miracle, we know where to look. We look to the brilliant and dedicated scientists at the NIH, and we turn to passionate and relentless researchers from innovative American biotechnology companies, ”he said.
“As a member of the HHS family, I am proud that the NIH and other parts of HHS have played such an important role in the development of this vaccine, which will save thousands and thousands of lives helping to end this dark chapter. ”Azar said. “In the long and historic history of the NIH, this is one of your best achievements.”
The Food and Drug Administration approved the Modern vaccine on Friday, making it the second approved inoculation for the global pandemic.
An earlier Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine was approved by the FDA on December 11th.
President-elect Joe Biden and incoming First Lady Jill Biden received the vaccine Monday on live television at ChristianaCare Wilmington Hospital in Delaware.
Vice President Mike Pence received the first round of gunfire last week, but doctors have recommended that President Trump hold on for now.