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Big Bird ruffled some conservatives' feathers this weekend by announcing that he had been vaccinated against COVID-19.

 for Americans between the ages of 5 and 11. Big Bird has been a fixture of children's television since 1969 but is 

"My wing is feeling a little sore, but it'll give my body an extra protective boost that keeps me and others healthy," he wrote.

Twitter users sounded off in the comments, with many thanking the character for doing his part to keep Sesame Street safe and set a positive example for kids. 

 and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 

 were among those who offered their thanks and praise.

, R-Texas, decried Big Bird's tweet as "government propaganda."

 accused the Muppet of "brainwashing children," while Newsmax host and former Trump adviser 

 slammed the announcement as "evil" propaganda. 

Both made false claims that children are not at risk of COVID-19 — while most children infected with the virus exhibit only mild symptoms, experts say 

 and hospitalizations, as well as disruptions to schooling.

Other commenters denounced Big Bird as a 

 (literally) and communist. Lavern Spicer, a congressional candidate in Florida, 

 "Big Bird & Elmo are at least a step UP from [Dr. Anthony] Fauci, but using them to push the drug is just as reprehensible nonetheless."

And some went much darker, like Tennessee congressional candidate 

Many observers noted the irony of the pile-on, given that Big Bird is both a fictional character and one known for spreading messages of kindness and curiosity. Plus, they pointed out, this isn't the first time he's gotten vaccinated.

Big Bird himself said he had just learned that he had been getting vaccines since he was "a little bird."

An account called "Muppet Wiki" backed up those claims with 

 from a 1972 episode in which Big Bird gets vaccinated against measles.

And Big Bird isn't the only young resident of Sesame Street to get the COVID-19 jab, either. The turquoise, bilingual muppet Rosita (who is apparently 5) also got vaccinated recently.

 — with Granny Bird, too — over the weekend to share their questions, experiences and tips about getting the shot.

Politics and Government News

Health

COVID-19

Rachel Treisman

Author

Big Bird, who is technically 6 years old, got his COVID-19 vaccine over the weekend. His announcement did not set well with conservatives like Sen. Ted Cruz, who called it "government propaganda." 

Big Bird got 'vaccinated' against COVID-19, drawing outrage from Republicans

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