Washington – Amid questions about when President Trump will receive the coronavirus vaccine after the release of the Pfizer version last week, U.S. surgeon general Dr. Jerome Adams said the president has a “medical reason” not to get vaccinated yet, citing an experimental antibody treatment he was given. while recovering from COVID-19 in October.
“From a scientific point of view, I will remind people that the president has had COVID in the last 90 days,” Adams told Face the Nation on Sunday. “He received monoclonal antibodies and this is actually one of the scenarios where we tell people, ‘Maybe you should stop the vaccine, talk to your healthcare provider to find out the right time.’ politics, there is a medical reason. “
The president spent three days at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in October after testing positive for COVID-19. As part of his treatment, Mr. Trump received monoclonal antibody treatment developed by Regeneron Pharmaceuticals.
After receiving authorization for emergency use from the Food and Drug Administration on December 11, Pfizer launched its first shipments of its two-dose coronavirus vaccine, developed in collaboration with German BioNTech. Front-line workers were the first to be vaccinated and members of Congress have begun receiving the first shot in the arm. Residents at long-term care centers will also be the first to receive vaccines.
On Friday, Adams, Vice President Mike Pence and Second Lady Karen Pence received their first dose of Pfizer coronavirus vaccine on live television, which aimed to build public confidence. President-elect Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden will be vaccinated on Monday.
But the White House has not said when the president or first lady, who was also infected with the virus, would get the vaccine.
“I got vaccinated, the vice president got vaccinated and a lot of Republicans look at him and see him get vaccinated, and I hope people talk to their trusted health care providers and get the information they need to make the right decision to help us. reopening our economy and returning to normalcy and saving lives, ”Adams said.
The deployment of the Pfizer vaccine marked the start of the largest vaccination campaign in the country’s history. The FDA also issued an emergency use authorization Friday for a coronavirus vaccine developed by Moderna and set 6 million doses at start sending Sunday.
Part of the challenge for public health experts and elected officials is to persuade Americans to get vaccinated, especially in communities of color that have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19 and among undocumented immigrants hesitant to leave. ‘shadow to receive the shot.
Adams said the federal government has historically worked with black colleges and universities, the National Hispanic Medical Association and tribal leaders to provide education about vaccines and build trust.
When it comes to ensuring that undocumented immigrants receive the vaccine, Adams said they have assured him that “your information when collected to get your second vaccine if you get the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine will not be used in any way, form or form to legally harm you “.
“No one in this country should be denied the vaccine because of their documentation status,” Adams said. “Because ethically it’s not right to deny these people.”