Big Bird, the famous "Sesame Street" character, ruffled the feathers of some Republicans after he announced that he got his COVID vaccine for kids just as the United States has rolled out its vaccination program for children between five to 11 years old.
The popular Muppet shared on social media that his "wing feels a bit sore" after getting the COVID-19 shot for kids but he knows it the shot will give his body "an extra protective boost." Though the "Sesame Street" star has been around on television since 1969, Big Bird's characterization is of a six-year-old bird who never ages.
His post, however, has divided the netizens. While he received a lot of support and congratulatory messages, including those coming from President Joe Biden, some conservatives were not pleased with his open declaration for vaccines.
I got the COVID-19 vaccine today! My wing is feeling a little sore, but it'll give my body an extra protective boost that keeps me and others healthy.
— Big Bird (@BigBird) November 6, 2021
Ms. @EricaRHill even said I’ve been getting vaccines since I was a little bird. I had no idea!
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A Government Propaganda?
Republican Senator Ted Cruz said that Big Bird's tweet is government propaganda aimed at five-year-old kids. Lisa Boothe, a conservative journalist, said that the post is meant to brainwash children "who are not at risk" of the virus.
Robbie Starbuck, who plans to run for Congress under the Republican party in Tennessee, joked that Big Bird will have blood clots after the seventh day of getting the COVID vaccine for kids. Per NBC News, "Sesame Street" has been airing segments about the COVID-19 pandemic, wearing of face masks, and getting vaccinated.
This is not the first time Big Bird has advocated for vaccination. In 1972, "Sesame Street" also did a scene with the character and some children getting the measles vaccine. Big Bird's COVID vaccine for kids is also part of a town hall segment with CNN and some health experts who are hoping to answer questions about its safety from concerned parents.
Big Bird gets vaccinated, 1972 pic.twitter.com/M2mdmmjZ0N
— Muppet Wiki ✪ (@MuppetWiki) November 6, 2021
Protection Against Long-Haul Covid
While children have fewer risks against COVID-19 compared to adults, it doesn't mean that they can't get the infection. Thus, vaccinating would still be beneficial as it will protect them from the long-haul impact of the virus, according to the experts.
Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Janet Woodcock said that if she has kids under 11 years old, she would get them vaccinated so they won't take any risks like hospitalizations, deaths, and even post-COVID conditions.
In the last six weeks, over a million children in the U.S. have been diagnosed with the virus, while six million kids have been sick with COVID-19 since the pandemic started in March 2020. Of the children under 11 years old, 8,300 needed treatments at hospitals. The experts estimated that 10 percent of unvaccinated adults may develop long-haul COVID but there isn't enough data for kids. Nevertheless, vaccination should prevent many cases from becoming full-blown COVID-19 long-haulers.
