Former Democratic presidential candidate Rep. Tulsi Gabbard denounced young members of Congress for taking the coronavirus vaccine for U.S. seniors – and stated that she wouldn’t get the vaccine until the older ones could.
The Hawaii Congressman made the comments in a tweet Monday morning when members of Congress received the Pfizer drug as part of a plan for “continuity of governance,” throwing them at the front line for high-risk seniors and other front-line workers.
On Friday, New York representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-Bronx) recorded how she received the vaccine live on Instagram and encouraged her millions of followers to ask questions.
“Heartless, arrogant, unelected CDC bureaucrats have decided that the lives of older Americans don’t count,” Gabbard said.
“The CDC has been telling us for months that the elderly are the most vulnerable. But now they recommend that 100 million so-called essential workers, meaning healthy people working in everything from liquor stores to telephone companies, can get the vaccine before our grandparents can, ”she continued.
“That members of Congress, like me, can get the vaccine for high-risk seniors,” she said, decrying what she called an “immoral and bad health policy.”
Gabbard, 39, announced she would boycott the vaccine until the more vulnerable received it, and encouraged other young members of Congress to do the same.
“I was planning to take the vaccine, but will now show solidarity with our seniors by not doing this until I can. I urge my colleagues in Congress, who are under 65 and healthy, to join me. “
Florida Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz, 38, retweet Gabbard, add, “I’m with you Tulsi!”
The Food and Drug Administration approved Moderna’s COVID-19 shot on Saturday, bolstering the country’s immunization efforts.
But fears exist that many Americans most in need of the drug are missing out, with hundreds of nursing homes in New Jersey still waiting as officials there were overwhelmed with paperwork.
78-year-old president-elect Joe Biden will get his first chance on Monday with his wife Jill Biden.
President Trump has pledged to receive the vaccine, but aides say he may still have immunity after surviving the virus in October and refusing to jump across the border.