Children's National Hospital hosts First Lady and Dr. Fauci as they encourage families to get COVID vaccine

May 21, 2021

Twelve-year-old Skylah Jackson from Ward 8 in Washington, D.C., had a special guest in her support network while getting her COVID-19 vaccine yesterday– the First Lady of the United States. First Lady Dr. Jill Biden and Dr. Anthony Fauci, the head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, toured the COVID-19 vaccine clinic at Children’s National Hospital.

The First Lady and Dr. Fauci spent time with kids, families and health care providers at Children's National talking about the importance of vaccinations and building confidence in science as the nation continues the fight against the pandemic.

“The visit from the First Lady and Dr. Fauci is a wonderful recognition of our hard work over the last year and confirmation of the leadership role Children’s National has played in the community, regional and national response efforts,” said Kurt Newman, M.D., president and CEO of Children’s National. “From the moment we launched the first coronavirus drive-thru testing site last March to now as we’re extending vaccine clinics for children between 12 and 15 years of age, our actions continue to be a testament to our commitment to deliver high quality care to our patients and families. I am so proud the White House chose to recognize our hard work and is helping amplify the importance of children getting vaccinated as soon as possible.”

The visit came one week after Children’s National started vaccinating children ages 12 to 15 under new FDA emergency use authorization for the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. Children’s National is now vaccinating kids and adolescents ages 12 to 22 in D.C. and Prince George’s County, Md.

Vaccinating children is a key part of the strategy by Children’s National to help get kids safely back to in-person learning in the fall.

“We know that children learn better in person,” added Dr. Newman. “It’s important from a developmental standpoint for kids to be around each other. Returning to in-person learning will help children lead healthier lives – mentally, emotionally and physically.”

Media contact: Diana Troese | 202-476-4500

Media Contacts

Email us

About Children’s National Hospital

Children’s National Hospital, based in Washington, D.C., celebrates 150 years of pediatric care, research and commitment to community. Volunteers opened the hospital in 1870 with 12 beds for children displaced after the Civil War. Today, 150 years stronger, it is among the nation’s top 10 children’s hospitals. It is ranked No.1 for newborn care for the fourth straight year and ranked in all specialties evaluated by U.S. News & World Report. Children’s National is transforming pediatric medicine for all children. In 2021, the Children’s National Research & Innovation Campus will open, the first in the nation dedicated to pediatric research. Children’s National has been designated three times in a row as a Magnet^®hospital, demonstrating the highest standards of nursing and patient care delivery. This pediatric academic health system offers expert care through a convenient, community-based primary care network and specialty care locations in the D.C. metropolitan area, including the Maryland and Northern Virginia suburbs. Children’s National is home to the Children’s National Research Institute and Sheikh Zayed Institute for Pediatric Surgical Innovation and is the nation’s seventh-highest NIH-funded children’s hospital. It is recognized for its expertise and innovation in pediatric care and as a strong voice for children through advocacy at the local, regional and national levels.

For more information, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.