Martha Stewart assures fans she didn’t ‘jump the line’ to receive Covid vaccination

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Martha Stewart has shared a clip of herself receiving her first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine while assuring her followers that she did not “jump the line”.

On Monday, the celebrity chef uploaded a short video showing her sitting in a doctor’s office and wearing a mask while a medical professional gives her the vaccine.

“I was vaccinated today in a designated vaccine pod near the Martha Stewart Center for Living at Mount Sinai Downtown,” Stewart captioned the clip. “I am so proud of and grateful to the doctors, nurses and medical staff who are wading through the red tape and confusion of the distribution of these very important vaccines.”

In the post, the 79-year-old also expressed her “excitement” at receiving her first dose, before telling her more than 1.2m followers that doctors at the hospital told her they had received 10,000 applications “right after the state released this batch of vaccines”.

“Here's to the advancement of science and a heartfelt thanks to those working on the vaccines. We are all hoping for an end to this pandemic,” she continued.

The lifestyle guru also took the opportunity to assure her fans that she did not receive the vaccine because of special treatment – but rather because she is in the designated age group.

“To allay your concerns that I jumped the line, know that I am in the approved age group for this batch of vaccines and I waited in line with others," she wrote.

Stewart received the vaccine shortly after New York expanded the eligible categories to include those over the age of 75.

Despite the disclaimer, people continued to question why Stewart was able to get the vaccine, with one person writing in the comments: “I'm sorry but my mother is in a nursing home in Pennsylvania and still hasn't gotten her shot. And the nursing home still hasn't been told when they will. I guess the rich come first. I like and have followed you for over 30 years but this isn't right.

On Twitter, another person shared a similar concern, writing in a tweet directed at New York Governor Andrew Cuomo: “@NYGovCuomo I am in healthcare and haven't gotten my vaccine yet but Martha Stewart got hers?! Also worked on a Covid unit!”

However, others applauded Stewart for being a positive role model to her fans and followers and for “trusting science”.

“Thank you for trusting science!” one person commented, while another said: “Good way to set the example Martha! You’re the best!”

As of Monday, teachers, police officers, firefighters, public transit and safety workers and people over the age of 75 are among those eligible to receive the vaccination in New York.