GOP Sen. Rick Scott, staff to wait to get COVID-19 vaccine

Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) announced Wednesday that he’s asked congressional officials to provide the COVID-19 vaccines allotted to him and his office to “vulnerable populations,” becoming the latest lawmaker to reject the vaccine before it is given to other Americans. 

“I’m incredibly proud of the hard work by so many Americans that led to the development and distribution of the coronavirus vaccines this month. As we turn the corner on this pandemic, the priority must be to make sure the elderly and at-risk populations, as well as our healthcare workers, have access to the vaccine first,” he said in a statement.

“My staff and I will wait to get the vaccine at the appropriate time determined by our personal physicians. I’ve asked that my office’s allotment be given to vulnerable populations that need the vaccine most.”

Scott joins a growing list of lawmakers who are declining to take the coronavirus vaccine before it is widely available to the general public.

Reps. Brian Mast (R-Fla.), Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), Tulsi Gabbard (D-Hawaii), Jefferson Van Drew (R-N.J.), Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) and incoming Rep.-elect Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) are among those who have said they won’t get the vaccine yet.

Congressional leaders and rank-and-file members began getting vaccinated this week. Once the members receive the vaccine, the Capitol physician’s office will begin offering vaccines to “continuity-essential” staff on Capitol Hill. 

“I’m not saying that I have any type of aversion to it. It’s just a personal stance that if you’re a leader, you eat last,” Mast told The Hill.

Scott’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Hill inquiring if it had gotten a guarantee its vaccines would go to someone else given that they were specifically allotted for lawmakers and staff.