Anthony Fauci reassures kids he went to North Pole to give Santa the COVID vaccine

It's already been a strange year for children, with social distancing and remote learning drastically changing their everyday lives. But over the weekend, Dr. Anthony Fauci offered some reassurance by telling children around the world that he had personally been to the North Pole to vaccinate Santa against the coronavirus.

In a CNN segment designed to teach children about coronavirus, Fauci addressed questions from kids about whether it was safe for Santa to visit them on Christmas and deliver presents.

"Well, I have to say I took care of that for you because I was worried that you all would be upset," Fauci said. "So what I did a little while ago, 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. He can come down the chimney, he can leave the presents, he can leave and you have nothing to worry about. Santa Claus is good to go."

Fauci also explained to children when they would be able to hug family members again.

"I think if you're in the immediate household... and it's not someone who's maybe coming in and traveling... yeah you can give them hugs," Fauci said. However, Fauci said that if relatives are traveling on public transport, then physical contact is more of a concern.

Answering a question on when children will be vaccinated, Fauci explained that trials in children will start in the next few months. Pfizer's vaccine has only been tested in those aged 12 and older, and as such have not been approved for use in children.

"So just hang in there, couple of more months, and we'll be in good shape," Fauci said.