Richard Petty.Photo: North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services

Richard Petty

Richard Petty just got vaccinated againstCOVID-19— not only for his own health but for the well-being of those around him, the iconic race car driver said this week.

“It [not] only helps me, it helps my family around me and all the people I associate with. So you’re not only helping yourself — you’re helping your neighbors also,” continued Petty, nicknamed “The King,” as clips of him getting the vaccine played.

“I might’ve been a little bit hesitant to begin with, but after looking at all the statistics, I don’tsee anything after you take the shot. Everybody seems to get along with it pretty good,” he added.

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Richard Petty.North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services

Richard Petty

Richard Petty

RELATED GALLERY:Celebrities and Politicians Getting the COVID-19 Vaccine: See the Photos

Many celebrities over the age of 65 have spoken out about their decision to get the COVID-19 vaccine, includingDolly Parton,Martha Stewartand former presidentsGeorge W. BushandBill Clinton.

Yo-Yo Maeven went one step further in supporting those getting the vaccine this past weekend, taking advantage of his 15-minute required post-shot waiting period toput on a performance for others doing the same.

Berkshire Community College in Massachusetts shared severalphotos and video clipson social media that showed a masked-up Ma, 65, playing the cello on Saturday for his gathered fellow vaccine recipients, who all cheered and clapped loudly in appreciation as he finished the performance.

“Today at the#MyBCCvaccination clinic, the folks waiting for 15 minutes in observation were graced with the musical talents of the one and only Yo-Yo Ma. 😍,” read the post on the school’s Facebookand Instagram accounts.

RELATED VIDEO: Dolly Parton Receives COVID-19 Vaccine as She Calls for Others to Get it

As of Tuesday, about 15 percent of Americans age 18 and older are fully vaccinated against COVID-19,according to data from the Centers for Disease Control, and over one-quarter of the same population has received at least one dose.

More than 110,000,000 doses have been administered in the U.S. as of Tuesday, with 72,135,616 Americans having received at least one dose.

As information about thecoronavirus pandemicrapidly changes, PEOPLE is committed to providing the most recent data in our coverage. Some of the information in this story may have changed after publication. For the latest on COVID-19, readers are encouraged to use online resources fromCDC,WHO, andlocal public health departments.PEOPLE has partnered with GoFundMeto raise money for the COVID-19 Relief Fund, a GoFundMe.org fundraiser to support everything from frontline responders to families in need, as well as organizations helping communities. For more information or to donate, clickhere.

source: people.com