Reeves plans to get COVID-19 vaccine. ‘If you’re anti-Trump, don’t let it stop you.’
Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves said Wednesday that he plans to take the COVID-19 vaccine when it is made available, decrying the growing political debate over the matter.
The Republican governor held a press conference Wednesday after having talks with the White House Coronavirus Task Force.
“They asked me to relay the overwhelming confidence of President Trump and the team in the vaccination process,” Reeves said. “Politics are infecting this, and some on the left are involved,” Reeves said. “We can’t let that cloud the experience. The Coronavirus Task Force met with governors and walked us through the endless checks and balances (in the vaccine process).”
Earlier Wednesday, at least one Senate Democrat accused Trump of trying to rush the work of scientists and public health experts to get them to have a vaccine ready before election day in early November and bump up his approval ratings, the Associated Press reported.
Trump has said repeatedly a vaccine could be available before election day, and many medical experts disagree. A poll by the Kaiser Family Foundation showed most Americans worry political pressure will lead the Food and Drug Administration to rush approval, including 85% of Democrats, 61% of independents and 35% of Republicans.
Mississippi’s top health officer, Dr. Thomas Dobbs said Wednesday he expects a vaccine won’t be made available to the general public until well into 2021.
“We do anticipate in the first part of 2021 there will likely be some vaccine available to us,” Dobbs said. “We’re in clinical trials, and the efficacy will give us an idea when we may be able to start a gradual roll-out. There will be a high-priority group that will receive the vaccine first, including health care workers and first responders. It will be some months later before we have wide availability.”
Reeves said Vice President Mike Pence told the nation’s governors that the process to create the COVID-19 vaccine is following the same standards placed on previous vaccines.
“It will not come out as soon as we would all like, but it will come out sooner and safer than many predicted,” he said.
Reeves said he plans to take the flu vaccine soon and encouraged Mississippians to do the same.
“Once the COVID-19 vaccine comes out along with an appropriate plan, I plan to get it as well,” he said. “I encourage everyone to look into the process. If you’re anti-Trump, don’t let it stop you. Do your own homework and look at the plans in place.
“We have to continue to work together in Mississippi to put this virus in the rear view mirror. We’re not there yet. There’s more work to do.”
