Dolly Parton received “a dose of her own medicine.” The country music legend — who helped fund the Moderna vaccine with a $1 million donation to Vanderbilt researchers — received her shot on Tuesday (Mar. 02, 2021) in Nashville, Tennessee, per a post on social media.
Her caption simply reads: “Dolly gets a dose of her own medicine.”
In a video published Tuesday, Parton, 75, encouraged viewers to get vaccinated because “the sooner we get to feelin' better, the sooner we are gonna get back to being normal.”
Dolly got her shot at Nashville’s Vanderbilt University and told Twitter followers, “I’m so excited. I’ve been waiting a while,” adding, “I’m old enough to get it, and I’m smart enough to get it.”
Parton also changed up the words to her song “Jolene,” to encourage fans to get their shot. She sang, “Vaccine, vaccine, vaccine, vaciiiiiiine. I’m begging of you, please don’t hesitate.”
The video included a pointed message to anti-vaxxers and those who may be on the fence about making their vaccine appointments, too.
“The sooner we get to feeling better, the sooner we are gonna get back to feeling normal,” she said. “I just want to say to all of you cowards out there: Don’t be such a chicken squat! Get out there and get your shot.”
Parton “got in line” for a vaccine last December, she said; the Country Music Hall of Fame entertainer and philanthropist told USA TODAY in early February that she wouldn't “jump the line” for a shot, despite partially funding its development.
“I think I’m getting more credit than I deserve,” Parton said. “But I was just so happy to be a small part, and to plant a seed that would grow into something bigger.”
