House Speaker Nancy Pelosi received a coronavirus vaccine on Friday but pledged to keep wearing face coverings and practice social distancing, even though she got the shot.
The top House Democrat received an injection of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine in her office on Friday. Brian P. Monahan, the attending physician for Congress, administered the shot.
In a tweet on Friday afternoon, Pelosi pledged to continue to socially distance and wear face coverings.
“As the vaccine is being distributed, we must all continue mask wearing, social distancing & other science-based steps to save lives & crush the virus,” the tweet read.
Today, with confidence in science & at the direction of the Office of the Attending Physician, I received the COVID-19 vaccine. As the vaccine is being distributed, we must all continue mask wearing, social distancing & other science-based steps to save lives & crush the virus. pic.twitter.com/tijVCSnJd7
— Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) December 18, 2020
Pelosi, 80, is second in line for the presidency behind the vice president.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, 78, is also set to receive the vaccine “in the next few days,” the Kentucky Republican said on Thursday.
The two members first announced on Thursday that they would receive the vaccine, as recommended by the attending physician, in order to keep continuity in government.
McConnell, like Pelosi, said that he will continue to wear face coverings and follow social distancing measures after vaccination.
“I would strongly encourage everyone to continue following these important guidelines,” McConnell said Thursday. “It is the only way we will defeat COVID-19 once and for all.”
Earlier on Friday, Vice President Mike Pence received the coronavirus vaccine live on television.
