First doses for 5-11 year olds begin in London area
The highly anticipated and long awaited first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine for children began in earnest Friday at the Western Fair Agriplex. The only thing spoiling the mood was the weather
“It's very cold outside. And I'm cold” said one child waiting with his dad to go inside.
There was a line up prior to the doors opening at 11 a.m., but the excitement for kids and parents was evident
“I’m a teacher myself…I know that the kids in my class were certainly excited to tell me about the dates that they're coming in for their vaccines,” said Luis Caicco, who was bringing his two children to the vaccination site, with mixed feelings while waiting for their turn. “They say it hurts but I say it doesn’t” said the boy, “I’m a little nervous” added the girl.
The Middlesex-London Health Unit says bookings have been positive with over 8,000 children slotted to roll up their sleeves over the next couple of weeks.
“That’s over the next four weeks but the vast majority will be within the next week and two weeks” said Acting Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Alex Summers
Many parents have jumped at the chance to book early, as the province’s positivity rate has been growing week by week.
“Really, we know that the new cases are going through the children who are under 12 and unvaccinated. So we need to get our kids vaccinated and that'll hopefully open things up,” said Chris Alcantara, whose son was among the first to arrive.
The majority of appointments over the coming weeks are being reserved for children who are eligible, at both The Agriplex and the Strathroy Community Centre
“We’re scaling up to see about 1,500 a day at the Agriplex, with 70 per cent of those as a minimum for kids,” said Summers.
The hope is, even with one dose, it will help ease the numbers going into the Holiday season, and perhaps in the New Year give kids more ability to return to more normal activities.
“Like having playdates with my friends,” said another boy excitedly waiting.
The Vaccine clinic will be running seven days a week from 11 a.n. to 6 p.m., and you can book your child’s spot using the portal found on the Health Unit's website.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'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.