WATCH: Fauci says those who are vaccinated can celebrate holidays ‘normally’

The doctor had previously expressed that he was "not sure" about what the holiday season would look like in the US this year, but then later walked the comments back after the statement was widely criticized.

This time around, he was much more affirmative, although he did tie everything positive he said to the condition of getting vaccinated.

Fauci said, "If you're vaccinated, and your family members are vaccinated, those who are eligible, that is – obviously, very young children are not yet eligible – that you can enjoy the holidays."

"You can enjoy Halloween trick-or-treating, and certainly Thanksgiving with your family, and Christmas with your family."

Fauci went on, emphasizing how, for him, vaccines are summarily important.

"That's one of the reasons why we emphasize why it's so important to get vaccinated, not only for your own safety, for that of your family, but also for the good of the community, to keep the level of infection down."

"When you do that, there's no reason at all why you can't enjoy the holidays in a family way, the way we've traditionally done it all along."

Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg (D) echoed Fauci's sentiments in a separate speech, talking about how much better things are going to be this year. Buttigieg attributed all of the progress to the Biden administration:

"What I know is that the holidays are gonna be a lot better this year than they were last year," said Buttigieg.

"Because, a year ago, millions of Americans were sliding into poverty who now have jobs. And, a year ago, a lot of us were gathering with loved ones over a screen."

"It's gonna be different this year because of the president's leadership, because of being able to get more and more Americans vaccinated and make that available free to every American."

The COVID 19 vaccines were made available to the American public starting on Dec. 10 2020, after the Trump administration's "Operation Warp Speed" was implemented earlier that year.