Singer Dolly Parton was inoculated on Tuesday with a Covid-19 shot she helped fund and called on everyone to be vaccinated.
"I'm finally going to get my vaccine shot. I'm so excited. I've been waiting a while. I'm old enough and I'm smart enough to get it," Parton said in the introduction of a video she posted on Twitter.
She posted the video with the message: "Dolly gets a dose of her own medicine" platform to promote vaccination.
Parton, who was born in the US state of Tennessee, donated $1 million to Vanderbilt University for coronavirus research in April 2020.
Her donation was made in the name of Dr Naji Abumrad, a physician who helped her recover after a 2013 car crash.
A portion of the donation founded the Dolly Parton Covid-19 Research Fund, which led to the creation of the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine. She received a dose of the vaccine on March 2.
She was eligible to receive the vaccine earlier in the year, but she decided to delay getting the shot.
"I don't want it to look like I'm jumping the line just because I donated money," Parton told the Associated Press. "I'm very funny about that."
Parton was vaccinated by her friend Dr Abumrad, who thanked her for her advocacy.
My Dad giving @DollyParton a vaccine shot. Wild. pic.twitter.com/7Asr3iew2a
— Jad Abumrad (@JadAbumrad) March 2, 2021
Early in the video, Parton did a short Covid-related rendition of her classic song Jolene in honour of the occasion.
"Vaccine, vaccine, vaccine, vaccine, I'm begging of you, please don't hesitate," she sang.
Her philanthropic work has won her accolades from former presidents and fans around the globe. Even state politicians moved to erect a statue of her on Capitol grounds – something she discouraged.
After Parton was vaccinated, she said it had not hurt and exclaimed: "I did it! I did it!"