BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. – Often considered the bravest among us, Apollo astronauts are taking to social media to encourage others to get the COVID-19 vaccine.
Satellite Beach resident and Apollo 11 moonwalker Buzz Aldrin posted a photo on Twitter getting his first vaccine shot a couple of days before his 91st birthday, according to reporting from Florida Today.
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Received my first Covid-19 vaccine today, a couple of days prior to my 91st birthday.
— Dr. Buzz Aldrin (@TheRealBuzz) January 19, 2021
Special thanks go to two outstanding patriots, Vlad Ghenciu Esq and Brian M Cronin, for their invaluable assistance, and to my organization, Buzz Aldrin Ventures LLC for permanent support. pic.twitter.com/oONTtlIIgd
Sporting an Apollo 11 50th anniversary t-shirt and his trademark suspenders, Aldrin said getting the COVID-19 vaccine was painless. He also thanked all the scientists, healthcare workers and government officials for making the vaccine available in record time.
“I urge everyone to sign up for a vaccination as soon as possible when eligible to do so, so that life can return to normal soon,” Aldrin tweeted.
In Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis has stipulated that those currently eligible for vaccines must be 65 or older or health care personnel with direct patient contact.
“As we move forward into 2021, I want to send a message of hope and inspiration to the American people and to all the world – help is here. I am proud to step forward to take this safe coronavirus vaccine that is provided – in record time – for all the world; this effort truly is a miracle,” Buzz Aldrin said in a press release.
In Chicago, astronaut Jim Lovell, who survived a brush with death as commander of Apollo 13, received his first shot of the Moderna vaccine last week at age 92.
“Really everybody should be getting the vaccine to cut out this coronavirus. It’s getting really bad and if don’t all get the vaccine so we don’t pass it on and give it to somebody else, we’re in trouble,” Lovell said in a video posted on Facebook.