US President-elect, Joe Biden has received a dose of the coronavirus vaccine on live television as part of a growing effort to convince the US public that inoculations are safe, as the United States surpassed 18 million cases, according to figures from Johns Hopkins University.
Mr Biden took a dose of the Pfizer vaccine at a hospital not far from his home in Delaware hours after his wife, Jill Biden, did the same.
The President-elect rolled the left sleeve of his turtleneck all the way up to his shoulder, then declined the option to count to three before the needle was inserted into his left arm.
He told the nurse who administered the dose, “You just go ahead anytime you’re ready.”
Mr Biden emphasized the safety of the vaccine, and said outgoing President Donald Trump’s administration “deserves some credit” for getting the vaccine distribution process “off the ground”.
The president-elect continued, “I’m doing this to demonstrate that people should be prepared when it’s available to take the vaccine.
“There’s nothing to worry about.”
He added that distributing the vaccine is “going to take time” and urged Americans to take precautions during the holiday season to avoid the spread of the virus, including wearing masks.
Mr Biden said, “If you don’t have to travel, don’t travel. It’s really important.”
Vice President-elect, Kamala Harris and her husband are expected to receive their first shots next week.
Mr Biden has received the first of two doses of the vaccine days after Vice President Mike Pence, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.
US President Donald Trump, has however, not yet received the vaccination. Mr Trump spent a number of days in hospital in October after testing positive for the virus and some experts have said that those given the same treatment as he received may be able to delay getting the vaccine for around 90 days after their treatment.
Meanwhile, World Health Organization (WHO) officials have confirmed that even though the new variant of the novel coronavirus found in the UK has been spreading faster, it can be curbed just like other known strains.
“This situation is not out of control but it cannot be left to its own devices,” WHO Health Emergencies Chief, Mike Ryan told a news conference, urging countries to implement tried-and-tested health measures.
The WHO added that it expects to get more detail soon on the potential effect of the highly infectious new coronavirus strain named VUI-202012/01.
Maria van Kerkhove, WHO Technical Lead for COVID-19, said scientists are looking at the body’s antibody response to the virus and she expects results in the coming days and weeks.
The WHO’s assertion comes as BioNTech Chief Executive, Ugur Sahin said he was confident a COVID-19 vaccine co-developed by his company would be effective against a new variant of the virus.
He said the company would investigate the mutation in the coming days but that he viewed the matter “with a degree of soberness.”
