Remarks as Prepared for Delivery by First Lady Jill Biden at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

As most of you know—or can tell from my accent!—I’m a Philly girl through and through.

I grew up in Willow Grove, just down Broad Street. I spent my summers visiting the Betsy Ross House and the Liberty Bell.

In winter—like right now—I used to take the train to Redding Terminal and walk to the Wanamaker’s to shop for Christmas presents.

So, I love being home.

Thank you to Madeline, for your leadership and for welcoming us to CHOP.

I know that this team of doctors, nurses, and health care providers have done so much to bring our city through the pandemic. You all are heroes and we’re grateful for your work.

I also want to thank Governor Wolf and First Lady Frances Wolf for joining us.

We even have the Man of Steel himself with us—Superman!

Now, I’m a teacher, and a mom, and a nana, and I want to talk to all the parents out there.

You know, when you became a parent, there’s a moment that we all go through—when you look at that baby with eyes like saucers and the tiniest fingers, and you feel an overwhelming sense of love, deep in your bones—and absolute terror.

Because you know that this fragile life is depending on you.

And from that moment on, you see dangers around you that you never even noticed before.

So, we buy baby gates and cover our electrical outlets.

We wrestle them into car seats no matter how much they complain.

We make them eat their vegetables and stuff them in winter coats and scarves until they can barely walk.

And after bedtime, when we’re exhausted from the day and sure that if we hear, “can I have a glass of water?” one more time, we will descend into a permanent madness—we quietly close their bedroom door and feel a pang of gratitude, knowing that those dinner complaints and bedtime negotiations mean that everything is OK, that they are healthy and growing, that we are OK.

Parents, we do absolutely everything to protect our kids.

And in this pandemic, you did.

You figured out how to support their virtual learning while working your job.

You found ways to create online playdates and birthday parties.

You chose to get yourself vaccinated.

And even though there were times when you probably felt like no matter what you did, it wasn’t enough, I want you to know:

You carried your family though this. You’re doing an amazing job. And now, I’m so excited that parents have another way to keep your family safe: A vaccine for children, five and up.

It’s not just another way to protect your kids against COVID-19; it’s the best way.

The vaccine has been thoroughly reviewed and rigorously tested. It’s safe. It’s free. And it’s available for every child in this country, five and up.

Every weekend, CHOP is hosting vaccine hubs at clinics near you, and you can go to Vaccines.gov to find other locations.

From the day you first held your sweet, fragile, little baby, you have made the choice, again and again, to keep your child safe.

Giving your child the COVID-19 vaccine is your choice, too.

So, as you make your weekend plans—whether you’re holiday shopping or just running errands—I hope you’ll choose to get your child vaccinated.

And while they get their shot, you can get your booster if it’s time, too!

Nothing is more important than our children’s health.

It’s up to us to keep them safe—and with this vaccine, we can.

Thank you.

###