Tom Hanks said he and his wife Rita Wilson will wait a long time before getting the COVID-19 vaccine. Several celebrities and political figures have already had the injection, but in an interview on Monday’s episode of NBC’s “Today”, Hanks explained that those most vulnerable to the virus take precedence over himself and Wilson.
“We’ll get it long after everyone really needs it,” he said.
Hanks and Wilson tested positive for the coronavirus in March. The “Forrest Gump” star had traveled to the Gold Coast to begin filming for a biographical film about Elvis Presley, but he and Wilson fell ill shortly after. Speaking of the experience, Hanks said it was “a tough few days,” but his main concern was that he wouldn’t pass the virus on to anyone else.
“I think that was much more important, since the second half of the COVID-19 formula was that we didn’t give it to anyone,” he said. “Shut down, we would wear masks and we still do, not just so we don’t catch it, but you don’t give it to anyone.”
Elsewhere in the interview, Hanks said he would be willing to publicly disclose the vaccine and urge people to get it. The actor is not alone. On Monday, President-elect Joe Biden and incoming first lady Jill Biden received their first dose of the vaccine, Business Insider reported.
“I’m doing this to show that people need to be prepared, if it is available, to take the vaccine,” said the president-to-be. “There is nothing to worry about.”
Last week, Ian McKellen also spoke openly about receiving his first dose of the vaccine.
“I am lucky to have had the vaccine. I would have no hesitation in recommending it to anyone,” he said tweeted.
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