Dr. Anthony Fauci is praising Republican lawmakers who are encouraging Americans to get vaccinated against COVID-19.
During an interview with The Hill that was published on Thursday, Fauci addressed House Minority Whip Steve Scalise’s (R-La.) comments encouraging people to get vaccinated, “I was very pleased to hear Congressman Scalise… make that statement about vaccines. That was very helpful.”
“There’s no doubt when you look at the distribution of unvaccinated people it certainly weighs very much more heavily towards Republicans in red states,” he continued.
Finally, Fauci added, “I think when they see a Republican leader like Congressman Scalise lean strongly towards people getting vaccinated, I think that’s a very positive thing.”
Earlier on Thursday, Scalise said, “I would encourage people to get the vaccine.”
Rep. Steve Scalise: "I would encourage people to get the vaccine. I have high confidence in it. I got it myself." pic.twitter.com/7JO7TTictZ
— The Hill (@thehill) July 22, 2021
Scalise also got his first dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 this week as he noted the delta variant is “becoming a lot more aggressive.”
“It was a good time to do it,” he added.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) also spoke out on Tuesday to encourage people to get vaccinated, as IJR reported.
“Others can say whatever they choose to say. But this is something I think I’m a good example of, something I know the answer to. It is not at all unclear that the way to avoiding getting back in the hospital is to get vaccinated,” he told reporters.
He added, “I want to encourage everybody to do that and to ignore all these other voices that are giving demonstrably bad advice.”
