Hopes of a Christmas gift for Santa Claus, Mrs Claus and their elves were thwarted after the US government cancelled plans to offer them early access to a coronavirus vaccine, should one be approved.
Officials had reportedly planned to provide workers playing the festive roles at malls, stores and theme parks with immunisation, in return for help promoting a Covid-19 vaccine as part of a $250m taxpayer-funded public service advertising campaign. But the plan, first reported by the Wall Street Journal, has been scrapped.
The paper said the deal was conceived by Michael Caputo, a Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) assistant secretary who went on a 60-day medical leave last month, after making incendiary remarks about the election and finding himself mired in controversy over political interference in coronavirus messaging. The remainder of the campaign – which had planned to feature celebrities, television, radio and online ads and live events in 35 cities – is now under review.
On Monday an HHS spokeswoman told the Guardian the Santa collaboration “will not be happening”, adding that the health secretary, Alex Azar, “had no knowledge of these outreach discussions”.
More...