Dolly Parton was inoculated with the Covid-19 vaccine that she helped fund. The country music icon, 75, burst into a song while getting the Moderna shot and adapted one of her best-known ballads.
To the tune of Jolene, she sang: "Vaccine, vaccine, vaccine, vaccine, I'm begging of you, please don't hesitate. Vaccine, vaccine, vaccine, vaccine, because once you're dead, then that's a bit too late."
Parton was credited with funding the Moderna vaccination project after contributing $1 million to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee. A portion of the singer's money went to support an early trial of the Moderna vaccine. In trials, the Moderna vaccine was found to give almost 95% protection against severe Covid-19.
Parton wore a mask before calling a doctor to the room. The medic thanked her for convincing others to get the vaccine. The singer told The Associated Press earlier that she was going to wait before it became more readily accessible because she didn't want to appear like she was jumping the line.
Parton wore a purple shirt with shoulder cutouts and a matching purple mask. She put on a typical show, smiling, cracking jokes with the doctor, and making sure her hair looked fabulous.
"That didn't hurt," Parton quipped after receiving her first jab.
Parton is the latest celebrity to publicly confirm they have had a coronavirus vaccine. Other celebrities who have had a Covid-19 vaccine include:
Sir Ian McKellen
The veteran actor, 81, was vaccinated at Queen Mary's University Hospital in London, during which he said he felt "euphoric."
Arnold Schwarzenegger
Now 73, Arnie had his jab in Los Angeles in January and gave a nod to one of his best-known movie lines as he said, "Come with me if you want to live."
Sir David Attenborough
The 94-year-old naturalist and broadcaster got the Covid-19 shot in January, months after he spoke of the "immense suffering" caused by the pandemic.
Jane Fonda
The Academy Award-winning actress, 83, posted the news of her jab on Instagram in February.
Bette Midler
The 75-year-old Broadway singer and actress revealed on Jimmy Kimmel in February that she had received Pfizer vaccination.
Sir Elton John and Sir Michael Caine
The pair encouraged the public to receive coronavirus vaccination in a commercial released in February.
