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Dolly Parton helped fund Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine

Country music icon Dolly Parton has played a massive role in helping the development of a COVID-19 vaccine.

The 74-year-old Jolene singer donated $1 million to Vanderbilt University Medical Center, which conducted US pharmaceutical firm Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine trial and clinical research.

Singer Dolly Parton Performs at Agua Caliente Casino on January 24, 2014 in Rancho Mirage, California.
Dolly Parton helped fund Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine. Photo: Getty Images

On Monday it was revealed that Moderna has reported early analysis suggesting its coronavirus vaccine is 94.5 per cent effective.

Dolly has since taken to her Twitter account to upload an interview with NBC News where she said: “When I donated the money to the COVID fund I just wanted it to do good and evidently it is. Let’s just hope we can find a cure real soon.”

Dolly Parton attends the 53nd annual CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena on November 13, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Dolly Parton donated $1 million to the research and development of the vaccine. Photo: Getty Images

Dolly first announced the donation in April, taking to her Instagram to write: “My Longtime friend Dr. Naji Abumrad, who’s been involved in research at Vanderbilt for many years, informed me that they were making some exciting advancements towards research of the coronavirus for a cure.

“I am making a donation of $1 million to Vanderbilt towards that research and to encourage people that can afford it to make donations.”

While Dolly’s donation certainly went towards funding the research, fans of the country singer have joked online that Dolly ‘saved 2020’.

DOLLY PARTON: 50 YEARS AT THE OPRY -- Pictured: Dolly Parton -- (Photo by: Katherine Bomboy/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)
DOLLY PARTON: 50 YEARS AT THE OPRY -- Pictured: Dolly Parton -- (Photo by: Katherine Bomboy/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)

“Good morning. Dolly Parton cured COVID-19,” one person joked.

“Omg Dolly Parton put out a holiday album and cured Covid-19 I knew she could save 2020,” another wrote.

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