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Tribune News Service

Texas Republican Senator Ted Cruz appears to think Big Bird is a government plant.
The Sesame Street character announced on Saturday that he had received his Covid-19 vaccine, just days after the FDA approved the Pfizer vaccine for children aged five to 11.
“My wing is feeling a little sore, but it’ll give my body an extra protective boost that keeps me and others healthy,” the supersized bird tweeted.
It was seemingly a joyous enough celebration for the childhood character, who is perpetually six years old. But conservative politicians and pundits were not so pleased.
“Government propaganda … for your 5 year old!” Cruz tweeted, apparently unaware that Big Bird is not actually on the White House payroll.

Fox News contributor Lisa Boothe falsely claimed that children are not at risk from Covid-19, while US website Newsmax host Steve Cortes similarly accused the children’s programme of “propaganda”.
Sesame Street, of course, is not government propaganda but rather a product of non-profit organisation Sesame Workshop, which is explained on its website as “a community built on diversity, equity, and inclusion, where creators, educators, partners, and unforgettable characters come together on a mission to help kids grow smarter, stronger, and kinder.”
Big Bird specifically has been advocating for vaccinations since at least the 1970s and even pointed out on Saturday that he has been “getting vaccines since I was a little bird.”
Sesame Street character Elmo also announced on Saturday that he plans to get his vaccination “soon.”


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Coronavirus pandemic

Big Bird gets Covid-19 shot. Texas Senator Ted Cruz calls it propaganda

Sesame Street character Big Bird said he has had his coronavirus vaccination. Photo: HBO / TNS

Sen. Ted Cruz, R-TX, questions U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing examining the Department of Justice on Capitol Hill in Washington, October 27, 2021. Tasos Katopodis/Pool via REUTERS

Coronavirus: BioNTech third shot offers ‘significantly higher’ immunity boost for Sinovac recipients with low antibody levels, Hong Kong researchers find

The research was published as Hong Kong prepares to launch its booster shot programme. Photo: Winson Wong

US gives final approval for smaller-dose Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine for children 5-11

Younger children across the US are now eligible to receive Pfizer’s Covid-19 vaccine. Photo: AFP

US FDA authorises Pfizer’s coronavirus vaccine for young children

A heath worker give a young patient a jab at a pop-up Covid-19 vaccine clinic Los Angeles in August. Photo: AFP

FILE - This October 2021 photo provided by Pfizer shows kid-size doses of its COVID-19 vaccine in Puurs, Belgium. On Friday, Oct. 29, 2021, the Food and Drug Administration paved the way for children ages 5 to 11 to get Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine. One more regulatory hurdle remains, as advisers to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will make more detailed recommendations on which youngsters should get vaccinated, with a final decision by the agency’s director expected shortly afterward. (Pfizer via AP, File)

News

World

United States & Canada


Sesame Street’s Big Bird announced his coronavirus vaccination on Twitter
It drew fire from US conservatives such as Republican Senator Ted Cruz



Texas Republican Senator Ted Cruz appears to think Big Bird is a government plant.


Coronavirus pandemic: All stories

Coronavirus US

Fame and celebrity

Big Bird gets Covid-19 shot. Texas Senator Ted Cruz calls it propaganda

.css-1mniedq{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;} Sesame Street’s Big Bird announced his coronavirus vaccination on Twitter It drew fire from US conservatives such as Republican Senator Ted Cruz

Sesame Street’s Big Bird announced his coronavirus vaccination on Twitter

It drew fire from US conservatives such as Republican Senator Ted Cruz