Fauci: ‘I vaccinated Santa Claus myself’

The spread of Christmas cheer this week won’t include the superspreading of coronavirus by a certain gift-giving holiday icon, according to the country’s top infectious disease doctor.

“I took a trip to up there to the North Pole. I went there and I vaccinated Santa Claus myself,” Dr. Anthony Fauci told CNN in response to a question to a young boy from Geneva, IL. “I measured his level of immunity, and he is good to go.”

Santa Claus will be coming to town this year, Dr. Anthony Fauci says.

“I took care of that for you,” he says. “…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.” #CNNSesameStreet pic.twitter.com/CNJ520XTew

— CNN (@CNN) December 19, 2020

The vaccination of Santa is good news for him, especially given his advanced age. But everyone else still needs to practice proper public health precautions as the virus continues to spread despite the federal approval of two COVID-19 vaccines.

As the holidays approach, experts are urging you to avoid in-person gatherings with people you don’t live with. Some alternative ways to celebrate are here.

“I know this is a hard thing to hear. I know it’s been a different year for everyone,” Advocate Aurora Health Chief Medical Officer Dr. Gary Stuck told reporters at a virtual news conference. “But it’s going to be especially difficult for our team members and their families if people gather.”

Meanwhile, you can get some of your questions about the vaccine answered by watching the video below. Dr. Robert Citronberg, Advocate Aurora Health Executive Medical Director of Infectious Disease and Prevention and Jane Dus, Regional Chief Nursing Officer and co-leader of Advocate Aurora’s COVID vaccine strategy, answer questions about vaccine myths, why the vaccines require two doses, and what you need to know about children, among many other topics.