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
Cuban government apologizes to Montreal-area family after delivering wrong body
Cuba's foreign affairs minister has apologized to a Montreal-area family after they were sent the wrong body following the death of a loved one.
What is changing about Canada's capital gains tax and how does it impact me?
The federal government's proposed change to capital gains taxation is expected to increase taxes on investments and mainly affect wealthy Canadians and businesses. Here's what you need to know about the move.
'Anything to win': Trudeau says as Poilievre defends meeting protesters
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is accusing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre of welcoming 'the support of conspiracy theorists and extremists,' after the Conservative leader was photographed meeting with protesters, which his office has defended.
Fair in Ontario, flurries in Labrador: Weather systems make for an erratic spring
"It's a bit of a complicated pattern; we've got a lot going on," said Jennifer Smith of the Meteorological Service of Canada in an interview with CTVNews.ca on Wednesday. "[As is] typical with weather, all of these things are related."
Quebec nurse had to clean up after husband's death in Montreal hospital
On a night she should have been mourning, a nurse from Quebec's Laurentians region says she was forced to clean up her husband after he died at a hospital in Montreal.
Police tangle with students in Texas and California as wave of campus protest against Gaza war grows
Police tangled with student demonstrators in Texas and California while new encampments sprouted Wednesday at Harvard and other colleges as school leaders sought ways to defuse a growing wave of pro-Palestinian protests.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Northern Ont. lawyer who abandoned clients in child protection cases disbarred
A North Bay, Ont., lawyer who abandoned 15 clients – many of them child protection cases – has lost his licence to practise law.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.