DEC 22 2020,Dr. Anthony Fauci is getting the first dose of the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine in Bethesda, Maryland

DEC 22 2020,Dr. Anthony Fauci is getting the first dose of the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine in Bethesda, Maryland.

National Institutes of Health Director Dr. Francis Collins, Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar and six other NIH frontline workers are also receiving the vaccine this morning.

As he received the vaccine, Fauci explained why he believed it was important for him to get it.

“As a symbol to the rest of the country that I feel extreme confidence in the safety and the efficacy of this vaccine, and I want to encourage everyone who has the opportunity to get vaccinated so we can have a veil of protection over this country that would end this pandemic,” Fauci said.
Speaking at the beginning of the event Tuesday, Fauci said he considered it “an honor to be part of this process.”

“What we’re seeing now is the culmination of years of research which have led to a phenomenon that has truly been unprecedented,” Fauci added, saying that he is also honored to be a member of the NIH, a place where these developments got started.

Azar called this vaccine an “extraordinary” scientific achievement. As he sat to receive the vaccine, he said he had “complete confidence” in the safety of the vaccine. Azar also thanked NIH for their efforts.

“We’ve all said it is nothing short of miraculous to have a safe and effective vaccine within one year of a novel virus becoming known to the world,” he said.