Sesame Street's Big Bird gets vaccinated as Ted Cruz bristles: Live COVID-19 updates - USA TODAY

"Sesame Street" puppet Big Bird announced his coronavirus vaccination on Twitter - and drew fire from conservatives such as Ted Cruz, who dismissed the vaccine pitch as "government propaganda."

The iconic yellow bird appeared Saturday on CNN's town hall “The ABCs of Covid Vaccines" with journalist Erica Hill. His grandmother, Granny Bird, revealed Big Bird would be receiving the vaccine. Big Bird is generally identified as being about 6 years old. Federal health officials recently granted emergency use authorization to Pfizer's coronavirus vaccine for kids ages 5-11.

That night, Big Bird tweeted: "I got the COVID-19 vaccine today! My wing is feeling a little sore, but it'll give my body an extra protective boost that keeps me and others healthy. Ms. @EricaRHill even said I’ve been getting vaccines since I was a little bird. I had no idea!"

Conservative social media personality Michael Cernovich tweeted a reply: "What’s the treatment for myocarditis in birds?" Myocarditis, heart inflammation, is a very rare side effect of the vaccine.

Fox News host Lisa Boothe tweeted:"Brainwashing children who are not at risk from COVID. Twisted."

Cruz also responded on Twitter: "Government propaganda … for your 5 year old!" That drew a response from Walter Schaub, the former director of the U.S. Office of Government Ethics, who pointed out to the Republican: "You are vaccinated."

Plenty of commenters supported Big Bird's decision.