COVID-19: US President-elect Joe Biden receives dose of coronavirus vaccine
Mr Biden took a dose of the Pfizer vaccine at a hospital not far from his home in Delaware on Monday.
Tuesday 22 December 2020 05:12, UK
President-elect Joe Biden received a dose of the coronavirus vaccine on live television as part of a growing effort to convince the US public that inoculations are safe.
Mr Biden took a dose of the Pfizer vaccine at a hospital not far from his home in Delaware hours after his wife, Jill Biden, did the same, on Monday.
The injections came the same day that a second vaccine, produced by Moderna, will start arriving in states.
Mr Biden rolled the left sleeve of his turtleneck jumper all the way up to his shoulder, then declined the option to count to three before the needle was inserted into his left arm.
He told the nurse who administered the dose: "You just go ahead anytime you're ready."
Mr Biden emphasised the safety of the vaccine, and said outgoing President Donald Trump's administration "deserves some credit" for getting the vaccine distribution process "off the ground".
The president-elect continued: "I'm doing this to demonstrate that people should be prepared when it's available to take the vaccine.
"There's nothing to worry about."
He added that distributing the vaccine is "going to take time" and urged Americans to take precautions during the holiday season to avoid the spread of the virus, including wearing masks.
Mr Biden said: "If you don't have to travel, don't travel.
"It's really important."
Vice President-elect Kamala Harris and her husband are expected to receive their first shots next week.
Mr Biden has received the first of two doses of the vaccine days after Vice President Mike Pence, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.
President Trump, meanwhile, has not yet received the vaccination and has spent the week largely out of sight.
Mr Trump spent a number of days in hospital in October after testing positive for the virus and some experts have said that those given the same treatment as he received may be able to delay getting the vaccine for around 90 days after their treatment.
But some have been surprised that Mr Trump has not seized on the opportunity to publicly receive the jab as a way to claim some credit for its speedy development.
Mr Trump wrote on Twitter earlier this month that he was "not scheduled to take the vaccine, but look(ed) forward to doing so at the appropriate time".
The Moderna vaccine - the second to be approved in the US - is being moved to healthcare facilities across the US.
The vaccination programme, which began when the first vaccine by Pfizer/BioNTech was approved, is prioritising care home residents and healthcare workers.