The CEO of Pfizer said a Christmas letter that was written by a six-year-old boy from Cork was an important reminder of "why the work we do every day is so important"
In his thoughtful letter, Calum Thornhill from Glanmire wrote: "Dear Pfizer, I heard you made a new vaccine for coronavirus. Good job. Can you please send some to the North Pole for Santa and his elves? Please. We want to save Christmas and make all the kids happy."
Albert Bourla, the chairman and CEO of the American pharmaceutical company, responded to the young Cork boy and said his letter "reminds us of why the work we do every day is so important" and promised they're doing "everything we can" to help people around the world including Santa and the elves.
Mr Bourla said: "Letters like these – from children brimming with compassion and hope – remind us of why the work we do every day is so important. Pfizer’s purpose – Breakthroughs that change patients’ lives – is more urgent than ever. This holiday season, I am reflecting on the tremendous good that our work brings to the world – not only regarding COVID-19, but across all of our therapeutic areas.
"To Finn and Callum, who sent these letters, you are kind, compassionate and thoughtful young boys, and I want you to know that we are doing everything we can to help bring hope to people around the world. And we will make sure to take care of Santa and his elves, too."
Speaking to Cork Beo, Callum's mother Paula said that they never ever expected to get a reply when her little boy decided to put pen to paper and send it to Pfizer's HQ.
"The kids has been asking when 'the bug', that's what we call Covid-19 in our house, would go away and I told them a vaccine would be neede," she said.
"So when it was announced that Pfizer was making one I told them to show them there was a light at the end of the tunnel.
"Callum had the idea to give Santa the vaccine and to write to 'the Pfizer' and tell them."
Callum's mother reminded her son that Pfizer is very busy and that he might not get a reply, however, the young boy was delighted to receive a response from the pharmaceutical giants.
However, that's not all Callum received because a few weeks after his letter was posted, the thoughtful child received a package of art supplies from the pharma giant the post.
Inside the care package was a letter which thanked him for the praise he'd given them, and that they had been in contact with Santa and the elves and that they were all safe and ready to go for Christmas Eve.
"When we heard that it was the reassurance we needed," Paula said. "I think it was something that was playing on a lot of children's minds."
A week later the family received another letter from New York asking could Pfizer's CEO respond to Callum on social media - but that's not where the magic ends.
When visiting Santa at Sarsfield Hurling Club in Glanmire, the man himself confirmed to Callum that Pfizer had been in touch and made sure they had all gotten the vaccine in time for Christmas.
"Callum believes he's saved Christmas," said Paula. "He has a personalised book he reads every Christmas called 'Callum Saves Christmas' so for him it's all now coming true, we're so proud."
Ireland's first vaccine arrives on Stephen's Day and will be administered on Dec 30th.
