WHO Director welcomed the move by the 3 ex-presidents of USA to vaccine shots on camera and said that it's a good idea as all of them are influencers and it will encourage people to come forward and take vaccine shots without hesitation.
Asked if he would do the likewise, Tedros said: "I would be happy to do the same thing. I would be happy to do it."
He stressed though that he would not want to jump the line and receive a jab needed by someone else, underlining the WHO's call for vaccines to be distributed equitably.
"I need to make sure it's my turn. I don't want to take anybody's vaccine," he said.
Obama, Bush, Clinton Say They're Willing To Get Coronavirus Vaccine On Camera
Former Presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush, and Bill Clinton are willing to lend their star power for a good cause, saying this week that they would publicly take a coronavirus vaccine, once it's available in the U.S., to encourage skeptical Americans to do the same.
Obama said that if Dr. Anthony Fauci, the country's top infectious disease expert, thought the vaccine was safe and effective, then he would get his shot.
Following Obama's comments, representatives for Bush and Clinton said they, too, would be on board for a public vaccination.
"First, the vaccines need to be deemed safe and administered to the priority populations," Ford told CNN. "Then, President Bush will get in line for his, and will gladly do so on camera."
Clinton's press secretary, Angel Urena, also told the news network that the 42nd president would be willing to take a vaccine in public on TV if that would urge Americans to do the same.
Vaccines will not be mandatory for citizens: Joe Biden
US President-elect Joe Biden said that Americans will not be forced to take the coronavirus vaccine and he is willing to get vaccinated publicly to assuage any concerns about its efficacy and safety. “I don't think they should be mandatory. I wouldn't demand it to be mandatory, but I would do everything in my power just like I don't think masks have to be made mandatory nationwide,”
Biden told reporters at a news conference in Wilmington, Delaware. Biden was responding to a question if the COVID-19 vaccine be made mandatory. Biden, who is due to take office on January 20, said he will make sure that the vaccine is both free and available and that any follow up on the vaccine is free and available that relates to any health complications from it.