Eligible kids need to get first shot by July 24 to be fully vaccinated for start of school
Area health units are reminding residents that children between the ages of 12 and 17 must get their first COVID-19 vaccination shot by this weekend in order to be fully vaccinated when school starts.
Children need to have their first shot by July 24. This will ensure they are eligible for their second dose and be fully vaccinated by Labour Day.
Kids would receive the Pfizer vaccine, as it's the only one approved for those between ages 12 and 17.
The Middlesex London Health Unit (MLHU) says as of Saturday in that age group 73 per cent have received at least one dose, and 25 per cent are now fully vaccinated.
Under direction from MLHU, the Thames Valley District School Board and the London District Catholic School Board emailed parents, informing them that in order for children who are eligible to be fully protected by Labour Day weekend, they must get their first vaccine by this Saturday.
“We recognize that 12-17 year olds will be back in in-person activity, that's where they flourish, that’s where they want to be, and we want to be able to support them in a way where COVID isn't transmitting," said Dr. Alex Summers with the MLHU.
Mark Fisher, director of education for the Thames Valley District School Board, says the board supports the push.
“This is an important step toward ensuring schools are safe places to learn and work for all students and staff.”
Meantime, the provincial government is facing questions over the back to school plan.
“We haven't heard anything from the government or the from the ministry with regards to directions to masks, whether they be worn at all, or a on voluntary basis, or if there would be some combination between the two," says Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario Thames Valley Local President Craig Smith.
Smith adds that the 12- to17-year-old age group reflects a small number of elementary school students.
"The overwhelming majority of students we teach are 11 and under, and right now there is no plan for vaccination at all for that age group. (This) is some cause for real concern, which is going to put pressure on the government and the school boards to come up with plans to keep schools safe and that they remain open, in a sustainable way through the school year."
Ontario’s back-to-school plan is expected to be released in the coming weeks.
To book a vaccination appointment online click here, though walk-ins are welcome at all mass vaccination sites and pop-up clinics.
London and Middlesex residents can also call 226-289-3560 or toll free at 1-888-333-2175 seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. to book an appointment.
Elgin and Oxford County residents can reserve a shot by calling 1-800-922-0096 ext. 9 Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
2 teens charged in Halifax homicide: police
Two teenagers have been charged with second-degree murder in connection to an alleged homicide near the Halifax Shopping Centre earlier this week.
'Deep ignorance': Calls for Manitoba trustee to resign sparked after comments about Indigenous people and reconciliation
A rural Manitoba school trustee is facing calls to resign over comments he made about Indigenous people and residential schools earlier this week.
ByteDance prefers TikTok shutdown in U.S. if legal options fail, Reuters sources say
TikTok owner ByteDance would prefer to shut down its loss-making app rather than sell it if the Chinese company exhausts all legal options to fight legislation to ban the platform from app stores in the U.S., four sources said.
12-year-old hippo in Japan raised as a male discovered to be a female
When Gen-chan arrived at a zoo in Japan in 2017, no one questioned whether the then-five-year-old hippopotamus was a boy. Seven years later, zoo staff made a surprising discovery: Gen-chan, now 12, was female.
Here's why Harvey Weinstein's New York rape conviction was tossed and what happens next
Here's what you need to know about why movie mogul Harvey Weinstein's rape conviction was thrown out and what happens next.
Improve balance and build core strength with this exercise
When it comes to cardiovascular fitness, you may tend to focus on activities that move you forward, such as walking, running and cycling.
Legendary hockey broadcaster Bob Cole dies at 90: CBC
Bob Cole, a welcome voice for Canadian hockey fans for a half-century, has died at the age of 90. Cole died Wednesday night in St. John's, N.L., surrounded by his family, his daughter, Megan Cole, told the CBC.