Republicans have been making a stink about the COVID-19 vaccine since they were available. Now, as unvaccinated individuals are 11 times more likely to die from COVID than vaccinated individuals, we are seeing more and more people urging the public to get the shot.
It's no surprise that pop culture icons and celebrities are using their platforms to aid in the push for vaccines.
And it wouldn't be the first time.
Professor and infectious disease epidemiologist Dr. Tara C. Smith tweeted a Star Wars poster from the '70s that encouraged parents to vaccinate their children.
She captioned the image:
"Man, wait until antivax politicians find out about how R2-D2 and C-3PO tried to encourage vaccination... in 1978."
"Almost like this isn't a new thing and programs that cater to kids want to keep them safe and healthy."
Man, wait until antivax politicians find out about how R2-D2 and C-3PO tried to encourage vaccination... in 1978. Almost like this isn't a new thing and programs that cater to kids want to keep them safe and healthy. pic.twitter.com/Q5nfH5TVsj
— Dr. Tara C. Smith (@aetiology) November 7, 2021
The poster read:
"Parents of Earth, are you children fully immunized?"
"Make sure - call your doctor or health department today."
"And may the force be with you."
Star Wars legend Mark Hamill decided to retweet Smith's poster.
"A long time ago, before science was politicized."
A long time ago, before science was politicized. https://t.co/cwVGnJkI6A
— Mark Hamill (@HamillHimself) November 7, 2021
There was even a commercial to go along with it. The video of R2-D2 and C-3PO encouraged parents to vaccinate their kids for whooping cough, the measles and polio.
Parents of Earth (Star Wars)youtu.be
Fans were loving the throw back to old school Star Wars.
I had no idea this was ever done. I should have been at least 12-yrs old then. I was a huge Star Wars fan as a child & I still am today, 40-plus yrs later.
— Kittie Dailey (@DaileyKittie) November 7, 2021
I have a vintage copy of this poster and it's one of my favorite possessions. pic.twitter.com/akpSHqUOYb
— Nathan Boonstra, MD (@PedsGeekMD) November 8, 2021
pic.twitter.com/O1h0QlBLZR
— Sib (@wsibley) November 7, 2021
Hell, it was your dad that taught me how to cross the road 😂 https://t.co/Yq9qYKquxv
— Chicago Tafia 🏴 🇪🇺 🇺🇸 (@ChicagoTafia) November 7, 2021
Science has always been politicized to some extent sadly... there will always be those who want to deny science or engage in pseudoscience to push ideas. It's literally why the scientific consensus system exists, to sift through that garbage.
— Kuari Thunderclaw (@KuarThunderclw) November 7, 2021
pic.twitter.com/1kYNDgjizE
— Barbara (@Barbara74048755) November 7, 2021
Remember when we were happy that scientists were actively working to improve lives?
— Nina Osegueda, Queen of Hell 🤘 🌈💙 (@DuchessODork) November 7, 2021
Reminds me of when I had a pretty nasty elbow injury in 1980, aged 5. Granma told the docs I loved SW, and they told me R2 was going to lower down from a ceiling panel to operate on my arm if I just faced the wall, docs & nurses were whistling & beeping the whole time
— Brian MacKenzie (he/him) (@WooingScotsman) November 8, 2021
These tweets came after Republican Senator of Texas Ted Cruz called a tweet from the fictional character Big Bird from Sesame Street "government propaganda" for five-year-olds.
Government propaganda…for your 5 year old! https://t.co/lKUlomnpq1
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) November 6, 2021
I know a certain someone who isn't gonna like this. Hopefully the wifi is slow in Cancun and he won't see it.
— Jenny Johnson (@JennyJohnsonHi5) November 8, 2021
The Force is strong with the bird! pic.twitter.com/kZOtoJj81P
— mk1776 (@CG17751783) November 7, 2021
Lost in this recent stupidness is that fact that @BigBird's job on Sesame Street has always been to be the surrogate for the three year-olds watching the show. He's not not out there "encouraging" vaccination; he's telling them not to be scared.
— Roy Schulze (@thbthttt) November 7, 2021
We would trust Mark Hamill. He worked with the Muppets back in the day.
Muppet Songs: Mark Hamill - When You Wish Upon a Staryoutu.be
The Pfizer vaccine has recently been approved by the CDC for kids ages five and older.
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Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images