Less than a year ago, Dolly Parton donated $ 1 million to help his friend, Dr. Naji Abumrad, develop Moderna Vaccine for covid-19 at Vanderbuilt University. On Tuesday, the country music legend told the world that she “got an injection of her own medicine” when Abumrad gave Parton his first dose of the vaccine.
Parton tweeted a video of herself being vaccinated on Tuesday, saying she and Abumrad had been “friends forever”.
“I thought it was appropriate that you were the only one to give me my chance today,” she said.
Tennessee began allowing vaccinations for people aged 70 and over in early February. Parton is 75 years old.
Although getting the vaccine itself was the main objective of the event, Parton did not hesitate to use the moment to sing a vaccine-themed version of his hit “Jolene” in an effort to encourage others to get vaccinated.
“Vaccine, vaccine, vaccine, vaccine, I’m begging you, please don’t hesitate,” she sang. “Vaccine, vaccine, vaccine, vaccine, because once you die, it’s a little late.”
The Vanderbilt University Medical Center tweeted that “Dolly’s generous support helped fund the first research at Vanderbilt Health on what is now a vaccine that is helping to end the pandemic.”
Parton also used his platform on Tuesday to attack those who may be planning to avoid vaccination.
“I’m old enough to do this and I’m smart enough to do it … The sooner we start feeling better, the sooner we will be back to normal,” said Parton. “So, I just want to tell all of you cowards out there, don’t be so crouched, go out there and give it a try.”
Modern was the second COVID-19 vaccine authorized for emergency use in the United States and, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it is more than 94% effective in preventing COVID-19 in people receiving both doses.