Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez documented her experience obtaining the COVID-19 vaccine on Instagram in an effort to convince followers to follow suit when it becomes available to them.
The New York socialist, known for her strong social media presence, posted a series of videos on Friday as the jab was presented to her and other members of Congress.
At the beginning of the thread, the 31-year-old urged her 8.2 million followers to submit their questions, writing, ‘Just like wearing a mask, I would never recommend you do anything I own. didn’t want to do. ‘
Ocasio-Cortez later faced criticism from critics who said it was unfair for lawmakers to get the vaccine ahead of some health professionals.
New York representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez documented her experience of getting the COVID-19 vaccine on Instagram on Friday
When she arrived for her vaccination appointment, Ocasio-Cortez showed the form that she and anyone who gets the shot must complete in advance.
She then posted a video of the recording itself, explaining in the caption that Pfizer’s vaccine involves two rounds before immunity develops.
She then shared a photo of her sitting in a room with several other masked lawmakers who had just gotten the photo.
“After you take the recording, they put us in a room … for 15 minutes to make sure we’re okay,” she wrote.
Sometimes people get headaches or dizziness in general or see blood, etc., so it’s just a precaution. No problems today! she added.
Ocasio-Cortez shared photos throughout the process, including the form she had to fill out ahead of time (left). She also answered questions from followers about the vaccine
Ocasio-Cortez shared a photo of her and other masked lawmakers sitting in a room after receiving the photo
After Ocasio-Cortez broke down the basics of the vaccine – including an entire post about potential side effects – Ocasio-Cortez turned her attention to a viewer’s question of why politicians got it for some health professionals.
“I was actually surprised by this too – I expected we would get it much later,” she said.
But when it comes to congressional access, it’s because of something known as “continuity of governance” planning.
“In short, there is national security policy on the books to ensure continuity of governance during national emergencies.”
But some Twitter users were not satisfied with that explanation.
‘@aoc, how do you as a young person justify getting the vaccine before primary care workers and seniors in your ward? asked a critic.
Another added: ‘May I ask why all politicians get access to the vaccine when all health workers have not yet?
“Since there is only enough for 50 million in our massive population, emergency responders should take precedence.”
Ocasio-Cortez faced backlash from critics who said it was unfair for lawmakers to receive the vaccine ahead of some health professionals
House speaker Nancy Pelosi, 80, also shared her vaccine experience with followers on Twitter on Friday.
“Today, with confidence in science and under the direction of the Office of the Attending Physician, I received the COVID-19 vaccine,” the California Democrat wrote alongside photos of himself receiving the vaccine.
‘While the vaccine is being distributed, we should all continue to wear masks, social distance and other science-based steps to save lives and destroy the virus.’
House speaker Nancy Pelosi also shared her vaccine experience with Twitter followers
America’s first COVID-19 vaccine from Pfizer and German partner BioNTech began distribution nationwide last week after it received an emergency permit from the Food and Drug Administration on Dec. 11.
A second Moderna vaccine received the same approval a week later.
Both vaccines require two doses to be administered several weeks apart.
The shots from Pfizer and Moderna sent so far and going out in the coming weeks, almost all go to health workers and residents of long-term care homes, based on the advice of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.
There won’t be enough shots for the general population until spring, so doses will be rationed for at least the next few months.
President-elect Joe Biden pledged earlier this month to distribute 100 million doses of vaccine in his first 100 days in office, and his surgeon-nominee Vivek Murthy said on Sunday that it is still a realistic goal.
Boxes of Moderna COVID-19 vaccine are prepared for shipment to McKesson distribution center in Olive Branch, Mississippi, on Sunday
But Murthy said it’s more realistic to think it could be the middle of summer or early fall before coronavirus vaccines are available to the general population, rather than late spring.
Murthy said Biden’s team is working to have the photos available to people at lower risk by late spring, but to do so, “ everything has to be right on schedule.
“I think it’s more realistic to assume that it might be closer to the middle of summer or early fall when this vaccine makes its way into the general population,” Murthy told Meet the Press.
“So we want to be optimistic, but we also want to be careful.”
The extensive rollout of vaccines comes as the US continues to see alarming spikes in COVID-19 cases, deaths and hospitalizations during the holiday season.
Another 249,709 Americans tested positive for the virus and another 2,814 died Saturday, bringing the total to more than 17.66 million and 316,209, respectively.
Expanded vaccine rollout comes as the US continues to see alarming spikes in COVID-19 cases, deaths and hospitalizations during the holiday season
