Rita Wilson explains why she and husband Tom Hanks have not gotten the COVID-19 vaccine yet… one year after testing positive
They were among the first high-profile people to go public and reveal they had tested positive for COVID-19.
And now, just over one year after announcing they had gotten sick with the virus, Tom Hanks and wife Rita Wilson ares still among the many millions who have not yet been received one of vaccinations.
Wilson opened up about their vaccination status when she was Hoda Kotb’s surprise co-host on The Today Show on Friday, April 2.
Rita Wilson revealed that she and husband Tom Hanks have not yet gotten the COVID-19 vaccine during an appearance as a guest co-host on The Today show on Friday, April 2
‘It’s been so emotional. We haven’t gotten our vaccine yet,’ Wilson shared when the topic of the coronavirus came up.
‘How about hearing this for the first time in your life: “You’re not old enough.” It’s like, “OK, I’ll take that!”‘, she jokingly added in a reference to the Hollywood Power couple both being 64-years-old.
The singer and actress then explained, ‘We are in line now because so many people are vaccinated and they’re opening up to the next tier.’
Awaiting tier: Wilson explained that she and Hanks, who are both 64, are not enough to get one of the coronavirus vaccinations just yet
Wilson also shared about her hopes for the future after she gets the vaccine.
‘But, yes, even when we found out we had antibodies and that was extraordinary because you knew you had some protection, that’s what the vaccine is also helping people,’ she said.
‘To witness people hugging each other for the first time in a year, grandparents hugging their grandchildren, people hugging their parents, there’s nothing like that. That is truly a gift.’
Just last December, Hanks said he would publicly get the vaccine to convince more people that it’s safe during an appearance on Today.
‘We’ll be getting it long after everybody who truly needs to get it gets it,’ The Forest Gump star said at the time.
Waiting their turn: The couple have both vowed to get vaccinated as soon as their turn becomes available
Last month, Wilson reflected on her diagnosis on the one year anniversary by posting a photo of the couple while in quarantine in Australia.
‘One year ago today I was playing the Sydney Opera House @sydneyoperahouse , the next day started feeling very tired and achy, two days later hospitalized with Covid 19. I want to take a moment to say how grateful we are for our health, how thankful we are for the medical care we got in Queensland, and that we share in the sorrow of each person who lost a loved one to this virus.’
She also wrote about how she’s ‘hopeful for so many being able to get the vaccine.’
One year later: Just last month, Wilson shared a photo of herself and Hanks while in quarantine in Australia to mark one-year since they went public with their diagnosis
Hanks revealed both he and his wife had tested positive for COVID-19 on March 11, 2020, while he was shooting the upcoming film Elvis in Queensland, Australia. That was around the time the virus was deemed a global pandemic.
The couple were admitted to the Gold Coast University Hospital for care, and were ultimately released on March 16. They then went into quarantine for 11 days before heading back to to their home in Los Angeles where they remained in lockdown.
Hanks and Wilson both donated their blood antibodies for virus research.