Former US President Barack Obama, George Bush and Bill Clinton in 2017. -

Sipa

They want to lead by example.

Former US Presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton have said they are ready to be publicly vaccinated against Covid-19 in order to encourage their fellow citizens to do the same.

Barack Obama, 59, said he “fully trusted” the country's health authorities, including immunologist Anthony Fauci, a highly respected scientific figure in the United States.

"If Anthony Fauci tells me that this vaccine is safe and can protect against Covid, I will not hesitate to get it injected," he said in a radio interview with SiriusXM, excerpts of which were shared on Wednesday on Youtube.

“I promise that when it becomes available to less vulnerable people, I will get the vaccine.

I could do it on TV or have it filmed, so people can see that I trust science, ”he added.

A representative for George W. Bush later told CNN that the 74-year-old former Republican president was also willing to promote Covid-19 vaccines.

"The vaccines must first have been found to be safe and given to priority populations," said representative, Freddy Ford.

"President Bush will then wait his turn and be gladly vaccinated in front of the cameras."

Up to 100 million Americans vaccinated by the end of February

Bill Clinton spokesman Angel Urena also told CNN that the former Democratic president, also 74, would get vaccinated publicly "if that could make all Americans do the same."

A column in the

Washington Post

on Thursday called on President-elect Joe Biden, 78, and his future vice-president Kamala Harris, 56, to be vaccinated live on television in order to convince the skeptics, many in the United States facing at the speed of development of vaccines against Covid-19.

On Wednesday, Operation WarpSpeed's vaccination officer, Dr Moncef Slaoui, estimated that if all goes well logistically, there should be enough doses of Pfizer and Moderna vaccines to immunize 20 million people. Americans in December, 30 million in January and 50 million in February.

That's 100 million people, or about a tiny third of the US population, which should cover everyone at risk, those on the frontlines and essential workers.

According to him, collective immunity could be reached in the United States by the end of May or early June with 70% of the population vaccinated.

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  • Barack obama

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  • George W. Bush