US Vice-President Mike Pence gets Covid-19 vaccine live on TV

US Vice President Mike Pence has received the Covid-19 vaccination live on TV in a bid to reassure Americans it is safe.

Speaking after getting the Pfizer/BioNTech jab, Vice President Pence said the speed with which it was developed was “a medical miracle.”

“The American people can be confident: we have one and perhaps within hours two safe vaccines,” VP Pence said - referring to expected approval of the Moderna vaccine in the US.

“Building confidence in the vaccine is what brings us here this morning,” he added.

His wife wife Karen and Surgeon General Jerome Adams also received the vaccination during the televised White House event.

President Trump has been criticised for his handling of the pandemic and has repeatedly made false statements about its origin and the best treatments for it.

He is yet to receive the jab himself, despite having contracted the virus and been hospitalised with symptoms earlier this year.

The Biden administration will preside over the bulk of the nationwide injection campaign next year, with Joe Biden expected to receive his vaccination as soon as next week.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell both said Thursday they will get vaccinated in the next few days.