Rita Wilson says she and Tom Hanks ‘aren’t old enough’ to get Covid-19 vaccine yet: ‘I’ll take that!’

Hollywood couple were among the first celebrities to reveal they had the virus

Rita Wilson has revealed that she and her husband Tom Hanks are yet to receive the Covid-19 vaccine.

In March 2020, the couple were among the first celebrities to disclose that they had tested positive for coronavirus while in Australia, where Hanks was filming the Baz Lurhmann-directed Elvis Presley biopic, and Wilson was touring her latest album.

Wilson and Hanks proceeded to share regular updates about their condition, helping to raise awareness of the virus and its effects.

They suffered mild symptoms, and Hanks later revealed they had donated their blood plasma to help with research into the virus.

Appearing on the Today show, Wilson explained why she and Hanks are still waiting to be vaccinated.

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“How about hearing this for the first time in your life: 'You're not old enough,'” she said. “It's like, 'OK, I'll take that!'”

She continued: “But we are in line now because so many people are vaccinated and they're opening up to the next tier.”

She said discovering that she and Hanks carried antibodies was “extraordinary, because you knew you had some protection”.

“That's why 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.”

In March, Wilson shared a throwback photo of her and Hanks as she reflected on their Covid ordeal.

“One year ago today I was playing the Sydney Opera House , the next day started feeling very tired and achy, two days later hospitalised with Covid 19,” she wrote.

“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 added: “I’m hopeful for so many being able to get the vaccine. I also do not take for granted that creating music stayed a part of my life through Zoom remote and safe recording and writing, even with women from Brazil @claudialeitte and @therajakumari for our new song Hello World. #hellowworldmovement Music has been very healing this year. So thankful for that, too.”