Country legend Dolly Parton is taking her first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine after contributing funds towards its research and development.
The superstar shared in an Instagram video Tuesday from Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) in Nashville, Tennessee, that she was “so excited” to be getting the vaccine.
“I’ve been waiting a while. I’m old enough to get it, and I’m smart enough to get it,” she quipped.
Parton even offered an updated version of her hit song Jolene to encourage others to take the COVID-19 vaccine; singing, “Vaccine / Vaccine / I’m begging of you please don’t hesitate.”
“I just wanted to encourage everybody because the sooner we get to feeling better, the sooner we are going to get back to being normal,” she said.
Parton donated $1 million to VUMC last year in honour of her friend Dr Naji Abumrad. Reports later showed that her donation helped fund research for the Moderna vaccine; which is what she received a dose of Tuesday.