Telling Americans “hope is on the way,” Vice President Mike Pence received a dose of the COVID-19 vaccine on national television Friday as a way to demonstrate it is effective but also safe.
“Make no mistake about it. It's a medical miracle,” Pence said moments after he, Second Lady Karen Pence and Surgeon General Jerome Adam each sat in chairs in front of cameras and received a shot of the Pfizer vaccine.
“Hope is on the way,” Pence said.
The Pfizer vaccine began shipping to states in recent days, and the Moderna vaccine is expected to be shipped soon, too. Cells from abortions were not used during the development of either vaccine, according to the pro-life Charlotte Lozier Institute. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has urged Catholics to get vaccinated with either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, calling such an action “an act of charity toward the other members of our community.”
Pence applauded the scientific community for their quick action on developing vaccines against COVID-19.
“Building confidence in the vaccine is what brings us here this morning,” Pence said. “... Karen and I wanted to step forward and take this vaccine to assure the American people that while we cut red tape, we cut no corners.”
The average vaccine, Pence said, “usually takes between eight and 12 years to develop and then manufacture and distribute.”
“We're on track here in the United States to administer millions of doses to the American people in less than one year,” he said. “… I also believe that history will record that this week was the beginning of the end of the coronavirus pandemic.”
Pence touted Operation Warp Speed, the Trump administration’s public-private partnership that had a goal of releasing a vaccine by year’s end.
“Under Operation Warp Speed, we are poised to have vaccine for 20 million Americans before the end of December,” Pence said. “It is truly a medical miracle, and an inspiration to people across this country. … We have a safe and effective vaccine.”
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