Today’s letter is “V”, for vaccine.
Elmo was vaccinated against COVID-19 on Tuesday, according to Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit educational organization that runs the “Sesame Street” show.
In a public service announcement posted on YouTube, the beloved TV star, who is 3 1/2 years old, spoke with her father about what the shot went like.
“There was a little bit, but it was okay,” Elmo said in the video.
Elmo’s dad said he had a lot of questions for the pediatrician, who assured him that vaccines are safe and effective for children.
“Was it safe? Was it the right decision? I talked to our pediatrician so he could make the right choice,” Louie said in the public service announcement. “I learned that getting Elmo vaccinated is the best way to keep him, our friends, neighbors, and everyone else healthy and enjoying the things they love.”
The COVID-19 vaccine rollout for the youngest Americans began last week. That means children under the age of 5 in the country—approximately 18 million—can now receive them.
US regulators have licensed Moderna and Pfizer’s vaccines. Moderna’s is for two doses and Pfizer’s requires three.
Last November, Big Bird got vaccinated, a move that was criticized by some conservative politicians. Republican Senator Ted Cruz said it was “government propaganda.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that even those who already have COVID-19 get vaccinated to protect against re-infection, and says it’s okay to get vaccinated against other diseases at the same time.
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