Jill Biden offered hugs and stickers to newly-vaccinated kids at Children's Hospital THEARC in DC on Wednesday as she continues her campaign to get children five and up their shot in the arm.
The first lady encouraged parents to get their children the COVID vaccine to keep them safe and said she understood their concern as worrying is what parents do.
During her visit to the D.C. area hospital, Biden hugged six-year-old Akeelah Osborne, who just got her Pfizer vaccine; posed for selfies with kids and their families; and petted Barney, the golden retriever comfort dog.
Five-year-old BJ Buris showed the first lady where he got his shot and assured her it didn't hurt.
Some 2.6 million kids ages 5 to 11 will have gotten their first vaccine shot by the end of Wednesday, according to the White House. That’s about 10% of kids.
The White House also pointed out if parents get kids vaccinated this week, they'll be fully vaccinated by Christmas.
First Lady Jill Biden hugs Akeelah Osborne after she got the COVID-19 vaccination at Childrens Hospital THEARC in Washington D.C.
First lady Jill Biden hands out stickers to recently vaccinated children during a visit to a pediatric COVID-19 vaccination clinic at Children's National Hospital's THEARC
Jill Biden meets NBA Wizards mascot G-Wiz and hospital mascot Dr. Bear
Jill Biden meets with newly-vaccinated kids and Barney the therapy dog
Cinderella, Captain America, G-Wiz the Wizards’ mascot and Dr. Bear, the Children's Hospital mascot joined Jill Biden at her hospital visit
During her visit, Jill Biden was accompanied by U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy, Washington Mystics' Alysha Clark, and Washington Wizards' Thomas Bryant.
Mingling in the observation room, where the kids waited after their shots, were Cinderella, Captain America, G-Wiz the Wizards’ mascot and Dr. Bear, the Children's Hospital mascot.
'You're the real heroes. You have your super power and now you're protected against COVID,' she told the kids.
The first lady has taken the lead for the administration in getting children between the ages of 5 and 11 vaccinated after the Food and Drug Administration approved shots for them.
In her remarks, Biden spoke about the safety measures parents take for their children - holding hands crossing the street, watching what they eat and 'stuffing them in snow suits.'
'Joe and our team have been working every day to give you what you need to keep your family safe in this pandemic. and parents. I'm so excited that now you have a new way to do just that, a vaccine for children, five and up,' she said to great applause.
She reminded the parents the vaccine was safe, free and effective. And said it was okay to worry.
'Parenthood and worrying go hand in hand don't they, and it's just what parents do. We worry constantly about our kids, so I can't promise you that the dangers of this world will become any less frightening. I mean, just wait until your kids start driving,' she joked.
But she concluded: 'Nothing, absolutely nothing, is more important than our children's
