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Dolly Parton Receives Moderna Shot, Sings 'Jolene' Spoof 'Vaccine'
The gay icon helped fund the vaccine. Now she's encouraging her fans to get it too.
March 03 2021 8:45 AM EST
March 03 2021 8:45 AM EST
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The gay icon helped fund the vaccine. Now she's encouraging her fans to get it too.
Dolly Parton has received her first dose of the Moderna vaccine, which she had helped fund.
The gay icon and country star received the shot Tuesday at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center wearing a glittering purple top with cutouts and a matching mask seemingly designed for the occasion.
"Dolly gets a dose of her own medicine," the singer captioned in a video posted to her Twitter. In order to encourage her fans to get vaccinated as well, Parton even wrote a spoof of her popular song, "Jolene," tailored to the current health crisis.
"Vaccine, vaccine, vaccine, vaccine, I'm begging of you please don't hesitate," she sang. "Vaccine, vaccine, vaccine, vaccine, 'cause once you're dead then that's a bit too late."
Last April, Parton donated $1 million to Vanderbilt, which helped fund research that led to the Moderna vaccine. Although she likely could have used her clout to receive the vaccine upon its December approval, she waited until March of this year in order to avoid the appearance of conflict.
And upon receiving the vaccine, Parton once again used her platform for the good of public health, quelling misinformation and encouraging its usage. "I just wanted to say to all you cowards out there, don't be such a chicken squat," she said. "Get out there and get your shot."
Watch the video below.
\u201cDolly gets a dose of her own medicine. \n\n@VUMChealth\u201d— Dolly Parton (@Dolly Parton) 1614721274