Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) is not amused by a recent “Sesame Street” public service announcement that featured Elmo getting the COVID-19 vaccine just weeks after the shot was approved for children as young as six months.
It was the second time the Republican lawmaker found fault with the children’s show for pushing the vaccine and brushing aside the concerns of parents. It came after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized emergency use of the shots for babies in mid-June.
“Thanks, @sesamestreet for saying parents are allowed to have questions! You then have @elmo aggressively advocate for vaccinating children UNDER 5. But you cite ZERO scientific evidence for this,” Cruz tweeted with a clip from the PSA in question.
Cruz also included a link to a press release stating that his office was demanding answers from an FDA panel regarding the use of COVID-19 vaccines for babies and toddlers.
Thanks, @sesamestreet for saying parents are allowed to have questions!
You then have @elmo aggressively advocate for vaccinating children UNDER 5.
But you cite ZERO scientific evidence for this. Learn more:https://t.co/Ss20TmFTSB https://t.co/tr67QyfRyC
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) June 28, 2022
Elmo, who is supposed to be 3 ½ years old, tells the viewing audience that the shot was “a little pinch, but it was okay.” His puppet father, Louie, encouraged Elmo by saying he did a “super-duper” job of tolerating the jab.
“I had a lot of questions about Elmo getting the COVID vaccine. Was it safe? Was it the right decision? I talked to our pediatrician so I could make the right choice,” Louie says in the clip. “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,” he concludes, then gives Elmo a hug.
This isn’t the first time Cruz criticized “Sesame Street” for promoting COVID vaccines to kids. In November, he blasted the show when Big Bird got his vaccine and shared on social media about the experience.
“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,” the official account for the character shared at the time. “Ms. @EricaRHill even said I’ve been getting vaccines since I was a little bird. I had no idea!”
“We always knew the media were the Dems’ puppets, but this is getting ridiculous,” Cruz shot back in reply.
President Biden, meanwhile, was all in favor of the big yellow bird getting the shot. “Good on ya, @BigBird. Getting vaccinated is the best way to keep your whole neighborhood safe,” he wrote on Twitter.
In late June, Biden bragged about the United States offering COVID vaccines for babies as young as 6 months old.
“We’re the only country in the world doing this right now,” the president said. “This is a great day for you all. Thanks for the example you are setting.”
“Everybody knows I like kids better than people,” Biden joked.
Source: Dailywire
