Chuck: Don vax plan a bad ‘Claus’

Just tell Santa Claus to put a mask on it.

Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) bristled Wednesday at the Trump administration’s “ridiculous” proposal to prioritize Santa performers for COVID vaccines and suggested the $250 million earmarked for the effort instead be spent on public service ads encouraging face mask usage.

In a press conference outside his Midtown office, Schumer said he’s glad the administration ultimately canned the Christmas-themed plan after its existence was revealed in news reports this week. “But now there’s $250 million sitting there to be used to help fight COVID. It’s just sitting there,” Schumer said.

“Here’s what we propose: The administration reach into their Christmas sack of the money they didn’t spend on this ridiculous Santa idea, and do PSAs that everyone should wear a face mask,” Schumer continued, while holding up a picture of a red Santa bag in one hand and a box of face masks in the other.

Schumer, the Senate’s top Democrat, said the since-scrapped Santa plan was misdirected to begin with.

“Give me a break. These are the Santas in the mall? First, with COVID, we shouldn’t have any Santas with kids sitting on their laps or near them,” Schumer said.

“Second, doctors, nurses, first responders — they’re the people who should get the priority vaccines, not Santas sitting in malls.” He added, “This administration is ridiculous.”

The White House did not return a request for comment Wednesday afternoon, and neither did the Health and Human Services Department.

Michael Caputo, a department official currently on medical leave, came up with the since-rescinded Santa plan, The Wall Street Journal first reported Sunday.

A source familiar with the matter confirmed to the Daily News that Caputo wanted to give Santa performers access to COVID-19 shots ahead of the general public in exchange for them openly promoting the benefits of vaccination as part of a proposed $250 million PSA campaign.

In addition to Santa Claus actors, those appearing as Mrs. Clauses and elves would benefit under Caputo’s proposal, according to the source.

The campaign, shelved indefinitely pending a department review, was to include TV, radio, online and podcast announcements. Some celebs, including actor Dennis Quaid, were also going to participate.

President Trump, who often claims there’s a “war on Christmas,” has pushed for a COVID-19 vaccine to be ready by the end of 2020. Public health experts say early next year appears more likely.