The first COVID-19 vaccines to be administered in the United States will be reserved for the people working closely with Donald Trump in the White House.
With a world record set for new daily COVID-19 related deaths on Saturday, the vaccine, which is said to be 95% effective, will be shipped to dozens of locations, all across the US, as reported by BBC.
Health workers and elderly people are among the first in line for the shipment of doses that were sent out on Sunday. However, they will not be the first recipients in the US – a privilege reserved for those who work in close proximity to Mr Trump. Eventually, the vaccine will be offered to everyone within the White House, Congress and the Supreme Court in order to ensure that the government can “continue essential operations, without interruption”.
“One aim of the programme was to build public confidence in the vaccine,” said National Security Council (NSC) spokesman John Ullyot, while discussing the vaccination plan with The New York Times on Sunday.
“The American people should have confidence that they are receiving the same safe and effective vaccine as senior officials of the United States government on the advice of public health professionals and national security leadership.”
However, Donald Trump has denied that he or anyone in the White House will be among the first recipients of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine.
People working in the White House should receive the vaccine somewhat later in the program, unless specifically necessary. I have asked that this adjustment be made. I am not scheduled to take the vaccine, but look forward to doing so at the appropriate time. Thank you!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 14, 2020
There have been a number of COVID-19 outbreaks within the White House, with Trump, himself, contracting the virus in early October. It is unclear whether vaccines have been offered to the incoming Biden administration.
The United States has been, by far, the worst affected nation in the world, with 16.2 million infections and the death toll is set to hit the 300,000 mark imminently, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.
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