Romney: Getting COVID-19 vaccine is ‘pro-life’

Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) encouraged people to get vaccinated against the coronavirus, saying that getting inoculated is “pro-life.”

Romney said on Twitter that he cares “deeply for the living” and doesn’t want more people to die from COVID-19.

“Being pro-life doesn’t just mean advocating and protecting the unborn. I also care deeply for the living and don’t want more people to die from #COVID19,” Romney tweeted.

“Everyone that is able should get the vaccine,” he added.

The plea from Romney comes as Republicans begin to push a pro-vaccine message as the delta variant of the coronavirus fuels a rise in COVID-19 cases, particularly among the unvaccinated.

Romney, who was vaccinated in December, previously urged GOP leadership to aggressively push a pro-vaccine message.

“I hope that leaders of our party from President Trump on down make it real clear that it’s a great idea to get a vaccination,” Romney said in March. “It’s good for one’s own health, and it’s good for the health of our neighbors.” 

The surges prompted the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to adjust its mask guidance, advising even fully vaccinated people to wear masks in “public, indoor settings” in areas with “substantial” or “high” levels of transmission.

Thus far, less than 57 percent of the population has received at least one vaccine dose, while 49 percent has been fully vaccinated.