Mike Rosenthal
Amanda Kloots has a message for those who criticize her for having recently received the COVID-19 vaccine.
On Friday, the 38-year-old fitness instructor – whose husband Nick Cordero died in July 2020 after contracting the virus and spending more than 90 days in hospital – shared on social media that he managed to get his first dose of the vaccine.
In Los Angeles, only essential workers and people over 65 are currently eligible to make an appointment for the vaccine. Her post sparked a reaction from followers who accused her of skipping the line.
“I think it’s crazy that people are trying to make it scandalous,” Kloots told People exclusively on Saturday.
“Anyone can do what I did,” says the mother of one. “The more arms we get this vaccine, the better. I took the opportunity and went with two of my friends to a vaccination site in eastern Los Angeles. We waited in a long line and waited. After all the consultations were over, we asked if they had some vaccine left over, because if they had extra vaccines, they want to put it in their arm instead of getting rid of it. And they said, ‘We have extra vaccines for you.’ I immediately got chills and started to cry. “
RELATED: Amanda Kloots Receives the COVID Vaccine After Her Husband’s Death, Scolds: ‘Do Not Vaccine-Shame Me’
amanda kloots / instagram
Getting the vaccine was a special moment for Kloots, especially after losing her husband to the same illness from which she would protect her.
“We took the risk as I said, and anyone can try – and the fact that there was some reaction, took away this beautiful and exciting moment for me,” The conversation host says PEOPLE. “Shaming the vaccine shouldn’t be happening, especially when you’re waiting in line and, otherwise, it would have been thrown out.”
“I am very happy and extremely grateful that we took a risk, and that could easily not have worked,” continues Kloots. “We could have been rejected and that would be fine. People have been doing this and you just have to be willing to wait. Every arm this vaccine goes on is a beautiful thing. We shouldn’t be ashamed of anyone who gets this vaccine it will help America getting back on track. “
Upon receiving her first injection of the COVID vaccine, Kloots shared a photo on Instagram, writing how thankful she was for being immunized.
amanda kloots / instagram Amanda Kloots
“Since Nick died, as a single mother, I have been terrified of getting this virus and now I am one step closer to security,” she wrote.
Cordero died at the age of 41 in early July, after spending more than three months in the intensive care unit at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles from complications related to COVID-19.
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Ashley Becker
During his 95 days in the hospital, 42 of which were in an induced coma, the Broadway star faced a series of unpredictable complications that led to septic shock and required him to amputate his right leg.
Kloots also approached his critics in a series of videos in his Instagram story on Friday.
“The shame of the vaccine should not happen. Everyone should be taking this vaccine, and anyone who gets it, we should celebrate that one more person has had the vaccine, ”she said.