Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) filmed herself receiving the first dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine on Friday evening.

“Hey everyone! So we found out last night that the COVID vaccine was available to members of Congress as part of ‘continuity of governance’ plan (basically a national security measure),” she wrote on her Instagram Story. She went on to say that she would “never advise” Americans to do something she was not willing to do herself.

Close

“So I’m heading to my vaccination appt now,” Ocasio-Cortez added before posting a video of herself actually getting the vaccine.

“After you get the shot, they seat us in a room…for 15 minutes just to make sure we’re good,” she said afterwards. “(Sometimes people get headaches or dizziness in general or seeing blood, etc, so it’s just a precaution. No problems today!)”

Hours later, Ocasio-Cortez said she was feeling completely normal and was suffering no side effects.

“Some people feel tired, have a headache, etc. — That’s normal. Your body is building immunity,” she said.

At one point in her story, Ocasio-Cortez addressed why politicians are being given the vaccine ahead of healthcare workers.

“I was actually surprised by this too — I was expecting that we were going to get it a lot later,” she said, going on to say that healthcare workers have begun receiving it, though “not everybody yet obviously has been vaccinated.”

Who do you think would win the Presidency?

By completing the poll, you agree to receive emails from LifeZette, occasional offers from our partners and that you've read and agree to our privacy policy and legal statement.

“But when it comes to Congress’s access, it’s due to something known as ‘continuity of governance’ planning,” Ocasio-Cortez explained, according to People Magazine. “Basically, there are national security politics on the books to ensure continuity of governance during national emergencies.”

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) was vaccinated on Friday as well.

“Today, with confidence in science & at the direction of the Office of the Attending Physician, I received the COVID-19 vaccine,” she tweeted alongside photos of her getting the vaccine. “As the vaccine is being distributed, we must all continue mask wearing, social distancing & other science-based steps to save lives & crush the virus.”