COVID-19: Four former US presidents urge people to get vaccinated against coronavirus
Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, George W Bush and Barack Obama reveal what they are looking forward to when the pandemic is over.
Friday 12 March 2021 01:18, UK
Four former US presidents have made a video urging Americans to get vaccinated against coronavirus.
Amid concerns that some citizens may be reluctant to be immunised, Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, George W Bush and Barack Obama are urging them to get a jab as soon as doses are available.
They gathered to film the 60-second slot on 20 January, the day President Joe Biden was inaugurated.
Donald Trump did not attend his successor's swearing in, and is not in the video.
More than 64 million people in the US (19% of the population) have had at least one COVID vaccine dose, while over 33 million (10%) have been fully vaccinated, according to figures on Thursday from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Mr Biden has announced he will direct states to make all adults eligible for coronavirus vaccines by 1 May.
The ex-presidents who did take part in the video have all had an injection, as have former first ladies Michelle Obama, Laura Bush, Hillary Clinton and Rosalynn Carter.
There are pictures of the group with syringes in their upper arms as they urge Americans to "roll up your sleeve and do your part" by getting vaccinated.
They also say what they are looking forward to once the pandemic is over.
George Bush, 74, wants to attend "opening day in Texas Rangers stadium with a full stadium".
Bill Clinton, also 74, says he wants to get back to work and "be able to move around".
Barack Obama, 59, wants to be able to see his mother-in-law, "to hug her, and see her on her birthday".
Jimmy Carter, 96, says he got a jab to help end the pandemic "as soon as possible".
A Trump adviser revealed last week that Donald and Melania were vaccinated in private before leaving the White House.