Dr. Anthony Fauci has touted the importance of social distancing whenever possible, but for Santa Claus, entering people’s homes is part of his job description. So, should you be concerned if your little one sneaks downstairs and gets within 6 feet of the man in red?

Fear not — it appears we are in the clear. According to Fauci, he personally made a trip to the North Pole to vaccinate Santa Claus against the coronavirus just in time for Christmas. 

In a segment that aired on Saturday morning on CNN, the epidemiologist taught children about COVID-19, answering the all-important questions about how the pandemic would affect the holidays. When the kids asked if it was safe for Santa to be delivering gifts, Fauci assured them he had received his vaccination and was ready to travel.

“Well, I have to say I took care of that for you because I was worried that you all would be upset,” he said. “So what I did a little while ago, I took a trip up there to the North Pole. I went there and I vaccinated Santa Claus myself. I measured his level of immunity, and he is good to go. He can come down the chimney, he can leave the presents, he can leave, and you have nothing to worry about. Santa Claus is good to go.”

Fauci also used the opportunity to inform children about how the virus affects people, as well as the importance of taking preventive safety measures, such as wearing a mask even after being vaccinated. Of course, he also answered questions about the newly released vaccine.

The nation’s leading expert on infectious disease has joined other health officials in urging people to make wise decisions this holiday season. The country saw a large spike in cases after Thanksgiving, and Fauci has encouraged people to be cautious in how they celebrate Christmas to avoid another surge.

“I would love to have it with my children, but my children are in three separate states throughout the country and in order for them to get here, they would all have to go to an airport, get on a plane, and travel with public transportation,” he told CBS News around Thanksgiving. 

Since the pandemic began, the country has seen more than 17 million coronavirus cases and 314,000 deaths. The vaccine’s availability has given hope to there being a light at the end of the tunnel, but experts are warning people against letting their guards down with deaths and hospitalizations hitting record highs.

So, while it’s safe for Santa to enter your home this year, it appears it’s best to limit the rest of your celebration to immediate family. Luckily, we won’t have to worry about Santa spreading germs — just good cheer! 

Will you be leaving cookies and milk out for Santa this year? We think he deserves a spot on the nice list for volunteering to get vaccinated in time for the holidays!