SALT LAKE CITY – President Russell M. Nelson, along with seven other leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine Tuesday morning.
In Utah, where leaders received the vaccine, those who are 70 or older can receive the vaccine starting this week. Leaders who do not meet the age requirement have not yet been vaccinated, church officials said.
“We are grateful for the countless people who did the work necessary to make this possible,” President Nelson, 96, wrote in a statement. tweet. “We have prayed for this literal gift from God. Receiving the vaccine is part of our personal efforts to be good world citizens.”
President Nelson’s wife, Wendy, was also vaccinated along with the entire First Presidency and several members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
In all, President Dallin H. Oaks and his wife, Kristen, received the vaccine along with President Henry B. Eyring, 87; President M. Russell Ballard, 92; Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, 80, and his wife, Patricia; Elderly Dieter F. Uchtdorf, 80, and his wife, Harriet; Elder Quentin L. Cook, 80, and his wife, Mary; Elder D. Todd Christofferson, 75, and his wife, Kathy.
“I’m glad it’s our turn to have this vaccine,” President Oaks said in a statement Tuesday morning. “We are very hopeful that the general vaccination of the population will help us get ahead of this terrible pandemic. It is hopeful, like the light at the end of the tunnel. There is relief and recognition for those who have invented the vaccine and for those which have caused it to be generally available in a sensible priority system “.
To date, three members of the church’s Twelve Apostles Quorum have tested positive for the new coronavirus: Elder Gerrit W. Gong, 67, and his wife, Susan, in October; Elder Dale G. Renlund, 68, and his wife, Ruth, in early December; and, more recently, the old Ulysses Soares, 62, and his wife, Rosana.
The three elders and their wives have recovered from the virus. According to the Utah vaccination launch plan, anyone who has tested positive for the virus cannot receive the vaccine within 90 days of infection.
Historically, the church has supported vaccinations and talked about the importance of vaccination.
In 1978, the First Presidency urged members to protect children through vaccination, and in recent years the humanitarian arm of the church has funded projects to administer vaccines around the world.
Since 2002, Saint Charities in recent days has helped fund 168 projects in 46 countries to provide assistance to some 116,819,870 people, according to church officials.
Wendy and I have been vaccinated against COVID-19 today. We thank the countless people who did the work necessary to make this possible. We have prayed for this literal gift from God. Receiving the vaccine is part of our personal efforts to be good world citizens. pic.twitter.com/oZw5EgzkjQ
– Russell M. Nelson (@NelsonRussellM) January 19, 2021
Also on Tuesday, the First Presidency issued a statement on the importance of vaccination against preventable diseases, encouraging members to receive their shots once they are eligible.
The full statement reads:
“In words and deeds, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has supported vaccines for generations. As a prominent component of our humanitarian efforts, the Church has funded, distributed, and administered life-saving vaccines throughout the world. Vaccinations have helped curb or eliminate devastating communicable diseases such as polio, diphtheria, tetanus, smallpox and measles.Vaccines administered by competent medical professionals protect health and preserve life.
“As this pandemic spread throughout the world, the Church immediately canceled meetings, closed temples, and restricted other activities because of our desire to be good world citizens and to do our part to fight the pandemic.
“COVID-19 vaccines are now being developed for which many have worked, prayed and fasted, and some are being offered. According to guidelines issued by local health officials, the vaccines were first offered to workers at the health, first-timers, and others Because of their age, older church leaders over the age of 70 welcome the opportunity to get vaccinated.
“As there are appropriate opportunities, the Church urges its members, employees and missionaries to be good world citizens and help fight the pandemic by protecting themselves and others through vaccination. People are responsible for taking “In making this determination, we recommend that you, when possible, advise a competent medical professional about your personal circumstances and needs.”
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Lauren Bennett