Vice President Mike Pence claims his family “wouldn’t hesitate” to get a COVID-19 vaccine approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as he noted the Trump administration’s plan to urge Americans to take the flu vaccine ahead of what could be a harsh flu season.
Pence spoke with The Hill on Tuesday where he discussed the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) comprehensive plans to prioritize at-risk Americans for the coronavirus vaccine.
He also expressed confidence in the safeness and effectiveness of an FDA-approved vaccine as he admitted he and his family members would be willing to get the vaccine.
“So we’ll deploy the resources, but the very moment that it’s appropriate for somebody in my category to get a vaccine, you better believe it. I, and my family, wouldn’t hesitate,” Pence said.
Pence’s latest remarks come amid concerns about Americans’ ability to trust the Trump administration to deliver a safe and effective vaccine. The president has been alluding to the possibility of a vaccine being made available before Election Day.
Many Americans have raised concerns about the vaccine being rushed for political reasons. Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden admitted that he would also get an FDA-approved vaccine.
However, he also expressed concern about the possibility of Americans being reluctant to consider taking even a good vaccine.
“I’m worried if we did have a really good vaccine people would be reluctant to take it. So, [Trump] is undermining public confidence,” Biden recently told reporters.
He continued, “But pray God we have it. If I could get a vaccine tomorrow, I’d do it. If it cost me the election I would do it. We need a vaccine and we need it now. We have to listen to the scientists.”
Despite the Trump administration’s desire for an FDA-approved vaccine to be delivered by Election Day, Dr. Anthony Fauci insists the timeline for delivery is “unlikely.”
The United States has reported more than 6.7 million coronavirus cases and a death toll of 200,280, as of Wednesday morning.