Dr. Fauci says he gave Santa the COVID-19 vaccine: ‘He is good to go’

In a year when so much has been taken away from children and adults alike, the joy of the holiday season has been more anticipated than ever. We know the holidays will be incredibly different during the pandemic, and yet we are all clinging to the hope that somehow, Christmas magic will prevail.

The children have been worried, however. After all, kids are smart. They’ve heard us talk about social distancing and staying out of each others’ homes for months now; it’s no wonder that children all have the same question on their minds: How can Santa Claus safely come into our homes during the pandemic?

Thankfully, the amazing team at Sesame Street partnered with Dr. Anthony Fauci, one of 2020’s premier heroes, to let the kids know that it is indeed safe for Santa to come into people’s homes this year. Dr. Anthony Fauci can say this with authority because he personally gave Santa Claus the COVID-19 vaccine.

Dr. Fauci reassured kids around the world, saying, “I took care of that for you…I took a trip up there to the North Pole. I went there and I vaccinated Santa Claus myself. I measured his level of immunity, and he is good to go.”

Fauci does not anticipate any disruptions to Santa’s usual seasonal duties, noting that “he can come down the chimney, he can leave the presents, he can leave and you have nothing to worry about. Santa Claus is good to go.”

And the world sighed in relief.

Critics were quick to surmise that Santa’s celebrity status unfairly allowed him to cut the line. But according to the recommendations outlined by The Centers for Disease Control, Santa’s vaccination timing is appropriate and fair. The CDC has advised that health care workers and the residents and workers of nursing homes be the first to receive the vaccine, followed next by people over the age of 75 and essential workers.

Santa Claus is 1,750 years old, so age-wise, his vaccination prioritization is appropriate. Plus, Santa’s work is undoubtedly essential. Lastly, he lives with hundreds of elves, also likely close to 2,000 years old, and public health officials have agreed that this communal living environment justified early vaccination.

In his briefing, Fauci did not comment on how Santa is feeling post-vaccination. I was able to speak to an anonymous source from the North Pole (who asked to be identified as “Elf on the Shelf”) who told me that Santa is feeling great and is more excited for Christmas than ever.

We are incredibly grateful to Dr. Fauci for vaccinating Santa, to the amazing scientists who developed this vaccine, and of course to the essential workers who have kept our society running all year long.