Dr. Anthony Fauci received the Moderna vaccine this morning during a televised event (watch above). The nation’s leading infectious disease specialist, who is set to turn 80 on Christmas Eve, also gave people a shot of optimism by publicly receiving this vaccine. Right before he was vaccinated, he remarked:

“I feel extreme confidence in the safety and the efficacy of this vaccine, and I was to encourage everyone who has the opportunity to get vaccinated so that we can have a veil of protection over this country that will end this pandemic.” 

Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar also received the vaccine at the same event.