Last Updated on June 28, 2022
Elmo received a COVID-19 vaccine in a recent “Sesame Street” PSA that encourages parents to vaccinate their children. The PBS program later repeated the same pro-vaccine message on its official Twitter page, as did the “Elmo” verified account.
In the bizarre segment, Elmo and his dad appear in a doctor’s office after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine. “You were super-duper today, getting your COVID vaccine Elmo,” the puppet dad says.
“There was a little pinch but, it was ok,” Elmo replies.
“I had a-lot of questions about Elmo getting the COVID vaccine,” the dad says after Elmo exits the set. “Was it safe? Was it the right decision? I talked to our pediatrician so we could make the right choice,” the puppet continues.
“I learned that Elmo getting vaccinated is the best way to keep himself, our friends, neighbors and everyone else healthy and enjoying the things they love.”
The segment then cuts to a message from the CDC that encourages parents to get their young children vaccinated.
It's okay to have questions about COVID-19 vaccines for children! Elmo's dad Louie talked to their pediatrician, and learned that Elmo getting vaccinated is the best way to keep him and his whole neighborhood safe and healthy! #CaringForEachOther pic.twitter.com/aWkCfysJPE
— Sesame Street (@sesamestreet) June 28, 2022
“Sesame Street” later shared the clip on the show’s main Twitter page.
“It’s okay to have questions about COVID-19 vaccines for children! Elmo’s dad Louie talked to their pediatrician, and learned that Elmo getting vaccinated is the best way to keep him and his whole neighborhood safe and healthy!” reads the caption.
The show previously aired a special where puppets talk to CNN’s Sanjay Gupta about the vaccine’s supposed safety and effectiveness. All of the puppets end up taking the vaccine, including Big Bird.
The CDC recently recommended COVID-19 vaccination for children under the age of five. This guidance has been released despite overwhelming data showing that COVID-19 is less severe for children when compared with adults.
“While children are as likely to get COVID-19 as adults, kids are less likely to become severely ill,” the Mayo Clinic says. Up to 50% of children and adolescents might have COVID-19 with no symptoms.