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
BREAKING Average hourly wage in Canada now $34.95: StatCan
Average hourly wages among Canadian employees rose to $34.95 on a year-over-year basis in April, a 4.7 per cent increase, according to a Statistics Canada report released Friday morning.
Magnitude 4.2 earthquake reported off Vancouver Island's west coast
A 4.2-magnitude earthquake was recorded west of Vancouver Island early Friday morning.
This iconic Canadian song is turning 50
Andy Kim's 'Rock Me Gently' is marking a major milestone, as it celebrates its 50th anniversary.
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
Calgary police to release more details on pro-Palestinian protest
Details on arrests, tickets and charges against a number of pro-Palestinian protesters arrested at the University of Calgary will be released on Friday, police say,
Her SUV was stolen in Montreal. A Good Samaritan on Facebook helped her get it back
Just as she had feared, a restaurant owner from eastern Quebec who visited Montreal had her SUV stolen, but says it was all thanks to the kindness of strangers on the internet — not the police — that she got it back.
Oprah Winfrey: I set an unrealistic standard for dieting
Oprah Winfrey said on Thursday evening that she has long played a role in promoting unhealthy and unrealistic diets.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Toronto police called to Drake's Bridle Path mansion for another alleged intruder on Thursday
Toronto police say a man who allegedly attempted to access Drake’s Bridle Path property was taken to hospital on Thursday after an altercation with security guards.