Queen Elizabeth urges the public to get vaccinated against COVID-19 and said that people should think about other people's wellbeing.
Speaking in a video conference, Her Majesty said that getting vaccinated is a chance for the public to "think about other people rather than themselves." The statement has been seen as a subtle swipe against anti-vaxxers who spread myths and misinformation about vaccination online to scare people into receiving medical protection.
But the Queen, who is 94 years old, said that her vaccine shot against COVID-19 was quick and painless, and that she felt protected because of it. Her Majesty also said that she has heard from other people who wrote her letters that it was quite easy to get the vaccine.
The royal's statement in support of the vaccine rollout has been called a "rare but almighty punch" against anti-vaxxers. Royal editor Russell Myers said that one of the Queen's aides feels that Her Majesty definitely believes in the cause as it aligns with her thoughts and feelings that the virus will be defeated if everyone worked together. The aide said that this was in her message during her first address to the nation in April 2020 or a month after the world went into a lockdown.
Her encouragement to have the painless vaccination sends a strong message that the sooner people get the jab, the sooner communities develop herd immunity. If there is herd immunity then everyone's lives could slowly return to normal.
CDC spokesperson Kristen Nordlund applauded Queen Elizabeth's statement, saying that many parents look to social media for health information on the vaccination. But filtering through which information is accurate can be muddled in busy platforms like Facebook or Twitter.
Nordlund said that speaking in support of vaccination can lend credibility to the program. Aside from Queen Elizabeth, Prince Charles is also pro-vaccine and has been urging minority groups in the U.K. to get the jab as he believes it's safe and could save many lives. The Prince of Wales, who is in his 70s, received his first jab with his wife, Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, in early February.
Prince William, who is in his late 30s, has yet to get his vaccination. However, the second in line to the throne has been visiting vaccination centers near his Norfolk home to show support for the NHS workers and the people waiting in line for their shots, as well as observe the vaccine delivery.
Early on, the Duke of Cambridge was at the Oxford laboratory, when the AstraZeneca vaccine was still being developed and told the scientists they will bring hope to the world. He also said that he felt proud of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip for getting the shots.
