Donald Trump nixing plan for early Covid-19 vaccine at White House
- US president reverses an administration directive to first vaccinate top government officials against Covid-19
- Initial shots to go to health care workers, elderly residents of long-term care homes
US President Donald Trump said that senior White House officials would wait longer for Covid-19 vaccines hours after media outlets reported senior officials were to receive doses within 10 days.
Late Sunday night, Trump said on Twitter he had asked for an “adjustment” to be made to the plans to vaccinate White House officials.
“People working in the White House should receive the vaccine somewhat later in the programme, unless specifically necessary,” Trump wrote, adding: “I am not scheduled to take the vaccine, but look forward to doing so at the appropriate time.”
Reuters reported earlier Sunday that Trump, Vice-President Mike Pence and other top US officials would be offered the newly approved Covid-19 vaccine beginning on Monday as part of a plan aimed at ensuring continuity of government, a source familiar with the plan said.
Essential personnel at the White House and certain officials in all three branches of government were set to be vaccinated within the next 10 days, said the source.
Trump previously contracted the novel coronavirus and recovered. Many White House officials have already had Covid-19, potentially dampening their need for quick access to the vaccine.