Big Bird’s COVID-19 vaccination met with backlash from GOP

NEW YORK, N.Y. — Big Bird of “Sesame Street” announced implicit the play that helium got vaccinated against COVID-19, which sparked backlash from immoderate conservatives.

“I got the COVID-19 vaccine today! My helping is feeling a small sore, but it'll springiness my assemblage an other protective boost that keeps maine and others healthy,” tweeted the Muppet connected Saturday. “Ms. @EricaRHill adjacent said I’ve been getting vaccines since I was a small bird. I had nary idea!”

President Joe Biden commended Big Bird for getting the shot, saying, “Good connected ya, @BigBird. Getting vaccinated is the champion mode to support your full vicinity safe.”

Before Big Bird announced helium had gotten the changeable connected societal media, helium appeared alongside his Granny Bird connected CNN’s “The ABCs of COVID vaccines” to inquire questions astir the vaccine and sermon immoderate fears astir it.

“I’m a small frightened to get the changeable ‘cause I don’t similar needles. Will it hurt?” said Big Bird.

CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta and writer Erica Hill gave Big Bird immoderate pointers astir getting done vaccinations, similar singing a opus during it.

“Aw, it’s OK to beryllium frightened and to person immoderate of those large feelings, Big Bird. Can I archer you something? I’m a grownup and I don’t truly similar needles either. In fact, adjacent arsenic an adult, I don’t similar to look erstwhile the doc puts that changeable successful my arm," said Hall.

The iconic quality Big Bird was created successful 1969, but helium remains conscionable 6 years old, putting him successful the 5-11 property group, which is present permitted to person a COVID-19 vaccine from Pfizer.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended the smaller dose of the vaccine for kids 5-11 past week aft the Food and Drug Administration granted an exigency usage authorization for the children’s vaccine.

Though Big Bird is simply a fictional character, the backlash sparked by his vaccination is real.

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz is among the GOP members calling Big Bird’s vaccination “government propaganda.” Cruz himself is vaccinated, but helium is against vaccine mandates. Others, similar Fox News contributor Lisa Boothe, accused “Sesame Street” of “brainwashing children.” Robby Starbuck, a Republican moving for Congress successful Tennessee, joked astir the Muppet dying successful a tweet with a gif of a cooked turkey and said, “*7 days later* Big humor clot Bird is served!”

However, Big Bird has his supporters too, who pointed out that “Sesame Street” characters person been utilized successful kid immunization campaigns dating backmost to the 1970s. Big Bird himself has discussed vaccinations successful the past.

Click present for accusation from the CDC connected vaccinating children and teenagers against COVID-19.