Broadcast Television, Joe Biden Receives First Injection Of Covid-19 Vaccine

Joe Biden receives first injection of COVID-19 vaccine (Source: Capture CNBC TV screen)

JAKARTA - The President-elect of the United States (US), Joe Biden received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine from Pfizer / BioNTech. The vaccinations were broadcast live on television on Monday afternoon, December 21 US time. The broadcast of the injection process is carried out to convince the US public about the safety of vaccines.

In early December, Biden said he was willing to receive a vaccine as soon as the US's leading infectious disease specialist, Dr. Anthony Fauci said the vaccine was safe. Biden also intended to vaccinate in public from the start to show his confidence in vaccines.

Launching CNN, Tuesday, December 22, the injection that Biden received in his left arm was carried out at Christiana Care Hospital in Newark, Delaware. The vaccine was injected by Tabe Mase, who is a nurse practitioner and head of health services at the hospital, according to Biden's transition team.

"We are deeply indebted to these people," said Biden, thanking those involved in vaccine development and distribution as well as frontline health workers.

Biden said the Trump administration deserves credit for Operation Warp Speed, the federal government's vaccine program, and their role in delivering COVID-19 vaccinations.

"I also think that it needs to be said that this is a big hope. I'm doing this to show that people must be ready, if available, to receive the vaccine. There's nothing to worry about. I can't wait for the second shot, and so is Jill," said Biden. .

"He's got the shot today. He's happy to receive this vaccine. I know," said Biden, holding his wife's hand as he laughed.

Biden noted that the vaccine rollout is in its early stages. He warned Americans about the long road ahead. "It will take time," he said.

Meanwhile, Biden also urged Americans to listen to public health experts and wear masks and exercise social distancing. He also stressed that US citizens should not travel unless absolutely necessary during the holiday season.

"Because we are still in this problem," continued Biden. "Showing the vaccine in the hospital is one thing, another thing to get the vaccine out of that bottle in a needle, down the arm."

The Biden vaccination comes one week after the first injection of the vaccine into health workers and a few days after the US Food and Drug Administration authorizes emergency use for a second COVID-19 vaccine.

The upcoming first lady, Jill Biden, received her first shot of Pfizer vaccine just before Biden. She received the vaccine at the same hospital and was given by the same nurse, according to Joe Biden spokesman Michael LaRosa.

The Pfizer vaccine requires two injections several weeks apart to achieve an efficacy of 95 percent. Joe Biden's transition team has not provided details on when Biden will receive the second injection.

Transitional spokesman Joe Biden Jen Psaki said US vice president-elect Kamala Harris and her husband, Doug Emhoff, will receive the COVID-19 vaccine next week.

Previously Fauci said he would highly recommend Biden and Harris get vaccinated as soon as possible. He also recommended that President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence also receive a vaccine immediately.

Meanwhile US Vice President Mike Pence and his wife, Karen Pence, had their vaccine last week also done on camera. The Trump administration says asking the vice president to accept the vaccine in public is part of the administration's efforts to build trust among the public about the safety and efficacy of vaccines.

Trump has not received a vaccine and will not be administered until recommended by a White House medical team. Trump is still benefiting from the monoclonal antibodies given to him after testing positive for COVID-19. But it is likely that Trump will get a vaccine after being recommended by the medical team.

Part of Biden's plan to fight the pandemic includes distributing 100 million vaccine shots, enough to cover 50 million people, in his first 100 days in office. The COVID-19 pandemic has killed more than 318,000 Americans.