Quarles will wait to take vaccine to give priority to others in more need of it

FRANKFORT  – After Governor Beshear invited Commissioner Quarles and other constitutional officers to take the COVID-19 vaccine, the Commissioner released a statement and said he would rather wait and let others in more in need get the vaccine first.

“I plan on taking the vaccine, but I will wait for my turn in line,”  Quarles said. “Though I appreciate the Governor’s invitation, as a healthy 37-year old man with no underlying conditions I would rather my early access vaccine be given to a high-risk individual like a frontline worker or a resident of a long-term care facility, two groups who have unfortunately borne the brunt of the coronavirus.

“I understand the Centers for Disease Control’s recommendation that officials like the Governor and top legislators be vaccinated for the sake of government continuity, but I do not believe rank-and-file politicians should be leapfrogging over those who are at higher risk of infection.

“I want to thank President Trump, Vice President Pence, and our medical professionals for their work through Operation Warp Speed to produce this modern day miracle, a safe and effective vaccine. But if it means saving one more life, I will wait in line just like everyone else,” he said.