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Rita Wilson reveals why she and Tom Hanks haven’t had coronavirus vaccine yet – but they’re next in line

Tom Hanks (L) and Rita Wilson
Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson were among the first stars to confirm they’d tested positive for coronavirus (Picture: Dia Dipasupil/FilmMagic)

Rita Wilson has revealed that she and Tom Hanks have not had their coronavirus vaccines yet because they haven’t been eligible yet as they’re not old enough. 

The 64-year-old stars were among the first celebrities to catch coronavirus at the start of last year and will be getting the jab soon. 

Rita revealed on The Today Show on Friday: ‘It’s been so emotional. We haven’t gotten our vaccine yet.

‘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 added: ‘We are in line now because so many people are vaccinated and they’re opening up to the next tier.’

Rita revealed that she and Tom would be getting the jab despite having some antibodies from when they were infected with coronavirus and donating blood for virus research.

 Tom Hanks  and Rita Wilson
Tom and Rita have not been old enough to get the vaccine yet (Picture: Kevork Djansezian/NBCUniversal via Getty Images)

She added: ‘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.

‘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.’  

Tom had also previously spoken out to confirm that the couple would be getting vaccinated, telling Today: ‘We’ll be getting it long after everybody who truly needs to get it gets it.’

The pair had been the first high-profile stars to speak out publicly after testing positive for Covid last year, after becoming ill while they were in Australia where Tom was filming for the upcoming biopic, Elvis.

Tom and Rita were admitted to hospital for care before quarantining after they were discharged before they could fly home to Los Angeles to continue lockdown there. 

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