Biden to receive coronavirus vaccine on Monday

Kamala Harris and her husband will receive the vaccine the week after the Bidens

Joe Biden and the incoming first lady said they will receive their first dose of the coronavirus vaccine on Monday.

The couple will get the vaccine in Delaware.

They will be the latest major American political figures to receive the coronavirus vaccine.

On Friday, Vice President Mike Pence, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell were publicly vaccinated.

Mr Pence was vaccinated on live television along with his wife, Karen. US Surgeon General Jerome Adams received his first dose at the same time.

Ms Pelosi and Mr McConnell both shared images of themselves receiving the vaccination on their Twitter accounts.

"Today, with confidence in science & at the direction of the Office of the Attending Physician, I received the COVID-19 vaccine," Ms Pelosi wrote. "As the vaccine is being distributed, we must all continue mask wearing, social distancing & other science-based steps to save lives & crush the virus."

Mr McConnell also issued a message supporting the roll-out.

"Just received the safe, effective COVID vaccine following continuity-of-government protocols. Vaccines are how we beat this virus," he wrote.

Senator Kamala Harris and her husband will receive theirs the week after Mr Biden receives his shot.

The leaders were vaccinated days after Dr Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, told Good Morning America that he thought both Mr Biden and Mr Pence should be vaccinated as soon as possible.

“For security reasons, I really feel strongly that we should get them vaccinated as soon as we possibly can,” Dr Fauci said. “You want him fully protected as he enters into the presidency in January. So that would be my strong recommendation.”

Donald Trump will not be taking the vaccine until the White House medical team recommends he take it, the White House spokeswoman Kayleigh McEnany has said. She was not able to confirm whether he too will do so in public.

The White House says Mr Trump is still protected by the antibodies given to him when he was diagnosed with Covid-19 earlier in the fall.