Washington – Amid questions about when President Trump will receive the coronavirus vaccine following the introduction of Pfizer’s version last week, US surgeon general Dr. Jerome Adams said the president has a “ medical reason ” for not getting vaccinated yet, citing to an experimental antibody treatment he received while recovering from COVID-19 in October.
“From a scientific standpoint, I’ll remind people that the president has had COVID for the past 90 days,” Adams told “Face the Nation” on Sunday. “He received monoclonal antibodies and that’s basically a scenario where we tell people, ‘You may have to wait to get the vaccine, talk to your healthcare provider to find the right time.’ Apart from politics, there is a medical reason. “
The president spent three days at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in October after testing positive for COVID-19. As part of his treatment, Mr. Trump received the monoclonal antibody treatment developed by Regeneron Pharmaceuticals.
After obtaining emergency use clearance from the Food and Drug Administration on Dec. 11, Pfizer launched its first shipments of its two-dose coronavirus vaccine, developed in partnership with Germany’s BioNTech. Frontline workers were the first to be vaccinated, and members of Congress have begun to get their first shot in the arm. Residents of long-term care facilities will also be the first to receive vaccines.
On Friday, Adams, Vice President Mike Pence and second lady Karen Pence received their first dose of Pfizer’s coronavirus vaccine on live television, which was intended to boost public confidence. President-elect Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden will be vaccinated on Monday.
But the White House did not say when the president or first lady, who was also infected with the virus, would receive the vaccine.
“I got vaccinated, the vice president got vaccinated, and a lot of Republicans look at him and see him getting vaccinated, and I hope people talk to their trusted caregivers and get the information they need to make an appropriate choice. to help us reopen our economy and return to normal and save lives, ”said Adams.
The introduction of the Pfizers vaccine marked the beginning of the largest vaccination campaign in the history of the country. The FDA also issued an emergency use authorization Friday for a coronavirus vaccine developed by Moderna on Friday, with 6 million doses planned for start sending Sunday.
Part of the challenge for public health experts and elected officials is convincing Americans to get vaccinated, particularly in communities of color disproportionately affected by COVID-19 and among undocumented immigrants who are reluctant to emerge from the shadows to take the photo. to make.
Adams said the federal government is working with historically black colleges and universities, the National Hispanic Medical Association and tribal leaders to educate about the vaccines and build trust.
When it comes to ensuring that undocumented immigrants receive the vaccine, Adams said he was assured that “your information collected to get your second chance if you get the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine is in no way. will be used to harm you. legally. “
“No one in this country should be refused a vaccine because of their documentation status,” Adams said. “Because it is not ethically correct to deny those individuals.”