Most prominent American politicians are lining up to get the first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, though some of them have not always supported the science during the pandemic.
Since the Food and Drug Administration authorized two coronavirus vaccines this month and shipments have rolled out across the country, President Donald Trump has neglected to take the lead in a national messaging strategy that would encourage people to get the vaccine once it becomes widely available to the general public next year. His administration has launched a vaccine awareness campaign, though it's unclear what role Trump will play, if any.
Instead, much of the responsibility has been left up to other elected officials, many of whom are publicly broadcasting themselves getting the vaccine in an attempt to quell skepticism and instill public confidence, after months of the president pushing misinformation, routinely downplaying the pandemic, and flouting public health guidelines including mask-wearing and social distancing.
A portion of those leaders had once enabled Trump's falsehoods, either refusing to dispute the president's misleading claims or neglecting to follow public health recommendations. They are now among some of the first people in the country to get the vaccine.
Trump has not yet taken the vaccine, and has not specified when he intends to, though experts and public health officials have recommended him to. President-elect Joe Biden received the vaccine on Monday.
As of Tuesday, here are the politicians who previously downplayed the virus but have now received the COVID-19 vaccine or have announced they will soon.