Dolly Parton 'gets a dose of her own medicine' with COVID-19 shot

Exhale, Tennesseans. Dolly Parton received a dose of COVID-19 vaccination. 

The country music legend — who helped fund the Moderna vaccine with $1 million donation to Vanderbilt researchers — received her shot Tuesday in Nashville, per an Instagram post. 

Her caption simply reads: "Dolly gets a dose of her own medicine." 

In a video published Tuesday, Parton encouraged viewers to get vaccinated because "the sooner we get to feelin' better, the sooner we are gonna get back to being normal." 

She received her shot on camera from Dr. Naji Abumrad, a Vanderbilt physician she met after a car wreck in 2013. Their seven-year friendship led to Parton donating to vaccination research. 

"I've been waitin' a while and I'm old enough to get it and I'm smart enough to get it," Parton said, adding: "I just wanna say to all of you cowards out there: Don't be such a chicken squat, get out there and get your shot." 

In the video, Parton put a vaccine spin on her classic "Jolene," singing a capella: "Vaccine, vaccine, vaccine, vaccine, I'm beggin' of you, please don't hesitate. ... 'Cause once you're dead, then that's a bit too late." 

Parton "got in line" for a vaccine last December, she said; the Country Music Hall of Fame entertainer and philanthropist told USA Today last month that she wouldn't "jump the line" for a shot, despite partially funding its development. 

“I think I’m getting more credit than I deserve,” Parton told USA Today in early Feburary. “But I was just so happy to be a small part, and to plant a seed that would grow into something bigger.”

COVID-19 VACCINES:Tennessee to move to next COVID vaccine phase, in part due to lack of demand

COVID-19 VACCINES:Bill allowing vaccine exemption based on 'right of conscience' dies in House subcommittee

COVID-19 VACCINES:As new Johnson & Johnson vaccine is distributed, Nashville expects thousands more doses