Dose 1 is done! A thank you

DOSE 1 IS DONE!!

My pandemic babies joined Elmo and got their first COVID19 vaccine today! These past 2.5 years have been so hard, but this milestone makes my mama heart so happy.

Sesame Street @sesamestreet

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

There are so many people that made this possible:

• Scientists before the pandemic that didn’t give up on the mRNA platform;

• Scientists, pharma companies, and governments that acted fast for a vaccine once a novel virus was detected;

• Hundreds of thousands of adults, children, and parents who volunteered to participate in clinical trials;

• Federal regulators that met a record breaking number of times to ensure the vaccines were safe and effective;

• Pediatricians, doctors, pharmacists, and health departments that navigated red tape and a tough landscape so vaccines could be offered in a wide variety of places;

• Grassroots networks that are still working tirelessly to get evidence-based information to communities.

The little 25 mcg dose in my girls’ legs is a direct result of, literally, millions of people working together. Our work is not done, but our collective effort towards a vaccine preventable disease is something to celebrate. As a mom and as an epidemiologist, I’m eternally grateful to all of you that played a role. I know you’re out there. THANK YOU.

Love, YLE