Little ones apprehensive about getting their shots need to hear one thing for an injection of courage - Santa did it. You can tell them that now and even show proof as Santa Claus has officially gotten his COVID-19 vaccination in Las Vegas.
The jolly judge of naughty and nice parked his reindeer in Sin City for the day and sat down at Southern Hills Hospital. The visit occurred at an undisclosed time in order to keep any children from spying him prior to his Christmas Eve journey. The hospital made sure to release video and images that children can see for themselves. If Saint Nick can do it, so can they.
After all, who's more essential than Kris Kringle? His bag full of toys is more than a heavy enough load to carry that getting sick can't be an option. Plus, although he has social distancing down to a tee, he still has to go in and out of countless houses. For his own safety, Santa had to get the Pfizer shot before the big day.
Cyndi Lundeberg, Director of Marketing for Southern Hills Hospital and nice list mainstay, explained to News 3 Las Vegas, "At Southern Hills Hospital we are dedicated to the care and improvement of human life and you know who else lives by our motto? Santa! Even though the vaccine is for our frontline healthcare workers, when Santa dropped in for his COVID-19 Vaccine we knew we had to make it happen."
Once Babbo Natale was done getting his shot, the staff members of hospitals, laboratories, long term care facilities, and pharmacists all lined up for their own chance to get the vaccine. To say he was an inspiration would be an understatement. When news spread of how brave he had been, everyone was on board.
With the coronavirus vaccinations rolling out, parents everywhere are rolling their eyes at the worry about battling their children for another dose of needles. The thought of an inoculation can be terrifying for some, but necessary. This event in Las Vegas is more than helpful in getting your littlest ones on board with staying healthy.
A recent study has even offered more advice as researchers at the University of California, Irvine, discovered that a broad smile, where the patient elevates the mouth corners and causes crow's feet wrinkles in older subjects, can actually reduce needle injection pain by up to 40%. A grimace also does the trick, but smiling is more fun.
With young children already set up to for many shots throughout their fairly new life, any help is always welcome. As COVID vaccinations add another round to their checklist, smile studies and Santa's photos are more than welcome to many moms and dads who have to find ways to get their toddlers okay with the idea. Every little bit helps and things like that are more helpful than just the traditional lollipop bribe.
Although, lollipops still help too.
Sources: News 3 Las Vegas, Yahoo, Pain News Network