3 Ex-Presidents Say They Would Take Coronavirus Vaccine On Camera

WASHINGTON, DC — Three former United States presidents plan to not only take a coronavirus vaccine once one is approved, but to do it on camera to encourage others to do the same.

Former President Barack Obama said in an interview on SiriusXM's "The Joe Madison Show" that's set to air Thursday that he would trust leading health experts if they say a vaccine is safe, according to NPR.

"I promise you that when it's been made for people who are less at risk, I will be taking it. I may end up taking it on TV or having it filmed, just so that people know that I trust this science," Obama, who was president from 2009 until 2017, said.

Audio from a portion of the Obama interview is already on YouTube.

Obama singled out one health expert, Dr. Anthony Fauci, and someone he would trust upon a vaccine recommendation.

"If Anthony Fauci tells me this vaccine is safe — and can immunize you from getting Covid —absolutely I am going to take it," Obama said.

Representatives for former presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton have made similar statements.

"First, the vaccines need to be deemed safe and administered to the priority populations," Freddy Ford. Bush's chief of staff, told CNN. "Then, President Bush will get in line for his, and will gladly do so on camera."

Bush, who was president from 2001 to 2009, and is the only living former Republican president.

Angel Urena, Clinton's press secretary, told CNN the nation's 42nd president who served from 1993 to 2001 would do the same.

"President Clinton will definitely take a vaccine as soon as available to him, based on the priorities determined by public health officials. And he will do it in a public setting if it will help urge all Americans to do the same," Urena said.

Two pharmaceutical companies, Pfizer and Moderna, have touted their vaccines as about 95 percent effective. They must be approved by the Food and Drug Administration before they are distributed.

Read more via NPR and CNN