News Santa Got a Booster Shot and He's Ready for Christmas, Dr. Fauci Says "Santa will be just fine and is good to go!" By Travel + Leisure Editors Travel + Leisure Editors Since 1971, Travel + Leisure editors have followed one mission: to inform, inspire, and guide travelers to have deeper, more meaningful experiences. T+L's editors have traveled to countries all over the world, having flown, sailed, road tripped, and taken the train countless miles. They've visited small towns and big cities, hidden gems and popular destinations, beaches and mountains, and everything in between. With a breadth of knowledge about destinations around the globe, air travel, cruises, hotels, food and drinks, outdoor adventure, and more, they are able to take their real-world experience and provide readers with tried-and-tested trip ideas, in-depth intel, and inspiration at every point of a journey. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines Published on December 8, 2021 Share Tweet Pin Email Santa Claus is coming to town — and he's boosted. Dr. Anthony Fauci, the chief medical advisor to President Joe Biden, told USA Today that Santa is ready to dole out presents to kids around the world after receiving his COVID-19 booster shot. "Santa already has great innate immunity," Fauci told the paper ahead of the Christmas holiday. "This year he is even more protected because he has been fully vaccinated and boosted. Santa will be just fine and is good to go!" Chen Mengtong/China News Service via Getty Images Santa is also likely exempt from travel restrictions and testing requirements, which many countries have strengthened amid the spread of the new omicron variant, including the United States, which requires all international travelers, including U.S. citizens, to get tested for COVID-19 within one day of their departure, regardless of their vaccination status. Dr. Greg Poland, a professor of medicine and infectious diseases and director of the Mayo Clinic's Vaccine Research Group, told USA Today he is a special consultant to the North Pole and that all the elves have also been vaccinated and boosted. It's important since many of the elves are elderly and at higher risk for severe disease, he added. "This is shaping up to be a very good Christmas on the North Pole," Poland told the paper, "Santa is going to be everywhere he's supposed to be. Everything related to toy production is on schedule because the elves are healthy, and the reindeer are safe." Last year, Fauci said he took a trip up to the North Pole and vaccinated Santa himself after responding to questions from concerned kids on a Sesame Street and CNN town hall. "I measured his level of immunity and he is good to go," Fauci said at the time. "He can come down the chimney, he can leave the presents… and you have nothing to worry about." Alison Fox is a contributing writer for Travel + Leisure. When she's not in New York City, she likes to spend her time at the beach or exploring new destinations and hopes to visit every country in the world. Follow her adventures on Instagram. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit