Mike Pence is vaccinated against the coronavirus in a television broadcast

The outgoing vice president, Mike Pence, and his wife, Karen, receive the coronavirus vaccine early this Friday.

The event is broadcast live on television, with the idea of ​​eliminating skepticism and encouraging Americans to get vaccinated in the coming months.

President-elect Joe Biden's turn will be next week.

"The last thing I would say to all Americans is to trust that we have cut red tape, but

we have spared no effort in developing this vaccine,"

Pence said this week at a vaccine production facility in Indiana.

[Pfizer's vaccine against COVID-19 arrives: which states have received it and who are the first to get vaccinated]

The top leaders of the House of Representatives and the Senate will receive the coronavirus vaccine this week, and the congressional doctor has informed members that all are eligible for the vaccines under the "continuity of government" guidelines.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Thursday that they will be vaccinated in the next few days.

The vaccine offers a glimmer of hope at a time when the coronavirus is killing an estimated 3,000 Americans a day.

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Pelosi recalled in a statement Thursday that "everyone must continue to be tested, there must continue to be traces, treatments, use of masks and social distancing while the vaccine is distributed."

In addition, he asked to guarantee access to the vaccine.

"

It is imperative that we ensure that the vaccine is free and fairly and equitably administered to as many Americans as possible

and that we accelerate its manufacture, including by invoking the Defense Production Act," he said.

McConnell said that as a survivor of polio [an infectious disease that primarily affects the nervous system], he is especially aware of the "extraordinary promise of hope" that vaccines offer.

The Republican politician recalled that he will continue to wear a mask and will follow health guidelines.

Outgoing Vice President Mike Pence during a Life Is Winning event in the South Court Auditorium in the White House complex in Washington, Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2020.AP Photo / Susan Walsh

Capitol Physician Dr. Brian P. Monahan sent a letter to legislators urging them to get vaccinated.

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"Once we have completed the vaccination of public representatives we will follow a process to identify essential staff members," Monahan said, adding that his office would continue appointments "until the small supply of vaccines is exhausted."

Trump's silence

Outgoing President Donald Trump has not joined efforts to encourage citizens to get vaccinated, despite his Administration's push to develop and distribute the vaccines in record time, even earlier than the opposition and members. of his party believed it was possible.

[When will children get the COVID-19 vaccine?]

Last May, Trump launched Operation

Warp Speed

, a government plan to help develop and distribute vaccines quickly.

Yet five days after the start of the largest vaccination campaign in the nation's history, Trump has made no public appearance to promote it and has not even been vaccinated yet.

Trump's silence on this issue is contrasted with his continued verbiage about his defeat in the November 3 election.

Outgoing President Donald Trump at the Michie Stadium of the United States Military Academy during the annual game between the Navy and the Navy, Saturday, December 12, 2020, in West Point, New York.AP Photo / Andrew Harnik

The approach has been surprising, especially for a president who is rarely short of taking credit, said Lawrence Gostin, a Georgetown Law professor of public health.

"The relatively low profile of the president in the response to the pandemic since the presidential elections is curious and contrary to the interests of Trump himself

,

" he

said.

Gostin, who has been critical of Trump's handling of the pandemic in the past, said he "deserves a lot of credit" for Operation

Warp Speed

and for betting on two vaccines that use revolutionary mRNA technology.

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"Having demonstrated leadership in the development of vaccines, you should be proud to publicly demonstrate your confidence in them," he said.

Many Trump aides are puzzled by his silence now that the vaccine is being administered.

They see it as a missed opportunity for the president, who leaves office on January 20, to claim credit for driving its rapid development and deployment, after the virus has killed more than 310,000 Americans to date, according to data from NBC News, sister network of Telemundo.

Trump himself has tried to downplay any credit that might go to his successor, Joe Biden, who will spearhead most of the national vaccination campaign next year.

["My nurses start to cry in the middle of the day," says a doctor after the collapse of hospitals]

"Don't let Joe Biden take credit for the vaccines, because the vaccines are mine and I pushed the professionals more than ever," Trump told reporters.

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Dec. 17, 202001: 58

Despite Trump's claims, scientists from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) were the ones who came up with the idea for Operation Warp Speed, which was endorsed by the White House.

Anthony Fauci, the nation's leading infectious disease expert, told NBC News this week that 75% to 85% of the nation needs to be vaccinated to achieve "herd immunity," which is why the public education campaign on the Vaccine safety is even more urgent.

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A poll by The Associated Press-NORC Public Affairs Research Center found that only about half of Americans want to get vaccinated as soon as possible.

Another quarter of the citizens are not sure, while the remaining quarter claims not to be interested.

Some are simply opposed to vaccines.

Others are concerned that the injections were too rushed and want to see how they affect the first few vaccinated.

It is traditional for presidents and their families to be vaccinated in front of the public to increase the confidence of citizens.

Former President Dwight Eisenhower noted that one of his grandchildren was among the first wave of American children vaccinated against polio.

In 2009, former President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle vaccinated their two young daughters, who were in a higher risk group, against swine flu.

With information from AP and The New York Times.