- MTLB
VP- Elect Kamala Harris takes the first dose of Moderna's Coronavirus vaccine
Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris received the first dose of Moderna's coronavirus vaccine in Washington, D.C, Tuesday morning.
Why it matters:
The televised inoculation of VP- Elect Harris follows other elected officials to convince the general public that the FDA approved coronavirus vaccines are reliable and effective.
According to staff, Harris's husband, Doug Emhoff, also received the vaccine.
A survey by the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found that a quarter of American adults are unsure if they want to get vaccinated. Another quarter says they won't.
African-Americans, who represent about 13% of the U.S population, have been disproportionately affected by the virus accounting for 22% of COVID-19 deaths. Plus, according to a Pew Research poll, Black Americans continue to stand out as less likely to vaccinate than other racial and ethnic groups.
What she said:
"I want to encourage everyone to get the vaccine. It is relatively painless, it happens really quickly."
"So, I urge everyone. When it is your turn, get vaccinated. It’s about saving your life, the life of your family members, and the life of your community.”