London, Ont. clinic helps teen with allergies get COVID-19 vaccine
After missing out on so much because of COVID-19, 17-year-old Joel McLaughlin of Corunna, Ont. is now breathing a sigh of relief.
Sidelined during the pandemic, the teen, who has severe asthma and numerous food and environmental allergies, says being able to get the vaccine now gives him more freedom.
Joel’s mother Carrie McLaughlin says his struggles started early in life.
“When he got sick, he got sick,” says Carrie. “Joel was quite sick when he was born and then he had breathing issues, he had an air pocket hole in his lung.”
So when the pandemic hit, the McLaughlin family tried to safeguard their oldest son, and Joel too was worried.
“I was very concerned with the rough path I’ve had with the previous roads,” says Joel. “I was just concerned not knowing what would happen.”
Now the McLaughlins are grateful to Dr. Harold Kim, an allergist, and the staff at St. Joseph’s Health Care’s Allergy Clinic. After assessing Joel, he received two Moderna vaccine shots.
“For the individual patient getting vaccinated is liberating,” says Kim. “For society, the more of us that become vaccinated the safer it is for all of society and (Joel) was so keen to get the vaccine.”
St. Joseph’s is among eight hospitals in Ontario with a special allergy clinic to help patients with allergies get vaccinated.
Kim adds, “This vaccine is very very safe. The risk of allergic reaction is very small.”
Even though he is now fully vaccinated, Joel says he still isn’t going to take too many risks.
“My mindset is that we’re still going to take precautions just to stay safe and I trust in the vaccine that if for some reason I do come down with (COVID-19) that I will be fine.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING King Charles' cancer treatment progressing well, says Buckingham Palace
King Charles III’s doctors are 'sufficiently pleased' with his cancer treatment and he is expected to return to public-facing duties, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday.
BREAKING Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
'Unacceptable': Trudeau reacts after AFN chief says headdress taken from plane cabin
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief said her headdress was taken from an airplane cabin this week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the incident 'unacceptable' and a 'mistake' on the part of Air Canada.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
From faulty kids' cribs to flammable kids' bathrobes, here are the recalls of the week
Health Canada issued recalls for various items this week, including kids’ bathrobes, cribs and henna cones.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
'Violation': CSIS had officer investigated after she reported a superior raped her
A CSIS officer's allegations that she was raped repeatedly by a superior in agency vehicles set off a harassment inquiry, but also triggered an investigation into her that concluded the alleged attacks were a “misuse” of agency vehicles by the woman.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.