This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost Australia, which closed in 2021.

White House COVID-19 Task Force Member Urges Trump To Get Vaccine

Taking that step would "generate more confidence" in the vaccine among the president's followers, said Admiral Brett Giroir.

Admiral Brett Giroir, a member of the White House’s coronavirus task force, on Sunday urged President Donald Trump to get vaccinated against COVID-19 to not only protect his own health but also to inspire his followers to do the same.

Vice President Mike Pence, who has headed the task force since February, and Surgeon General Jerome Adams received their vaccinations Friday during a live TV broadcast. Trump, on the other hand, hasn’t done so yet.

“I think any leader who is influential over groups of individuals should have the vaccine,” Girior, the Trump administration’s COVID-19 testing czar, told ABC’s “This Week.” “I think leadership ... should get vaccines because they will inspire confidence with the people who believe in them and trust them.”

He noted that the US has “every reason to believe” the first two vaccines authorised for emergency use by the Food and Drug Administration, which were produced separately by Pfizer and Moderna, are “very effective” and “safe.”

“I would encourage the president to get a vaccine for his own health and safety and also to generate more confidence among the people who follow him so closely,” Giroir said.

Public health experts have said COVID-19 vaccines are the only way to stop the pandemic, which has included surges in cases across the US in recent months. As of Sunday, the US has recorded the most infections and deaths in the world with more than 17.6 million and more than 316,000, respectively.

Trump, who was hospitalised with COVID-19 in October, has largely taken credit for the country’s rapid vaccine development but hasn’t yet committed to getting vaccinated publicly.

The White House did not immediately respond to HuffPost’s request for comment.

President-elect Joe Biden is scheduled to get the vaccine publicly on Monday and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris is slated to receive it the following week.


Never miss a thing. Sign up to HuffPost Australia’s weekly newsletter for the latest news, exclusives and guides to achieving the good life.

Close
This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost Australia. Certain site features have been disabled. If you have questions or concerns, please check our FAQ or contact support@huffpost.com.