Senator Ted Cruz Argues With Elmo From Sesame Street Over Vaccinations

A US politician has kicked off with a Sesame Street character, and it's not even for the first time.

The episode that riled Senator Cruz showed the iconic furry red Sesame Street character receiving his jab. As he got the vaccine injection, he said he felt, 'a little pinch, but it was okay'.

His proud Muppet father praised Elmo, who wore a green bandage on his arm, saying he was 'super-duper' while getting the jab. 

In the episode, Elmo’s dad Louie said: “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.

"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 giving Elmo a hug.”

After the episode aired, Senator Cruz questioned: "Thanks Sesame Street 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.”

The US politician then directed his Twitter followers to 'learn more' and directed them towards an article about how he and other Republicans are seeking more answers from the government on the authorisation of the vaccines for children aged five and younger.

Cruz’s reaction sparked comments from other Twitter users, many of whom thought Cruz’s reaction was over the top: ”I'm here for the right-wing meltdown because a puppet got vaccinated." 

Another user shared: “Last time I looked, Sesame Street was an amazing educational program for children, not a newspaper or scientific journal they need to cite its sources.”

A third added: “Uh...what "scientific evidence" were you expecting in a show aimed at 3-6 y/os? Especially since it says 1. Consult a doc with questions and 2. Go here with questions and 3. VRBPAC/ACIP meetings are on YouTube, for the super nerdy.”