Some 66 per cent of parents and guardians told Toronto Public Health they are “certain or somewhat likely” to get their children aged five to 11 vaccinated against COVID-19.
The responses from 43,000 Torontonians were collected through an online survey between Oct. 29 and Nov. 7, and verified by TPH data experts, the city’s public health chief, Dr. Eileen de Villa, told a briefing Wednesday.
De Villa told reporters she is not worried that the other third of Toronto parents and guardians who filled out the survey were not, at that time, likely to get their young children protected when Health Canada approves the Pfizer vaccine for kids, expected late this month or in early December.
“I think the 66 per cent actually represents quite a solid start,” as the city’s multi-pronged campaign ramps up to get as many as possible of the roughly 200,000 children in that age bracket fully vaccinated, de Villa said.
“It is not dissimilar to that which we saw for adult vaccinations,” she said, adding that over the course of the adult campaign “the actual proof in the pudding” was reduced vaccine hesitancy as the city gave people trustworthy information about the virus and vaccines.
That campaign to get as many Torontonians aged 12 and older protected hit a new milestone Wednesday with 85 per cent of eligible residents having received at least two doses of COVID-19 vaccine.
“As the largest city in Canada and fourth largest in North America, Toronto has the highest fully vaccinated rate for its entire population when compared to other major metropolitan cities such as New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles and London, England,” the city said Wednesday in a news release.
Parents and guardians who responded to the TPH survey also indicated that “they preferred to have their child vaccinated at a doctor’s office or their child’s school,” de Villa said.
Toronto Public Health and the city’s four public school boards have developed a “mobile school clinic model” as part of its massive “Team Toronto Kids” vaccination plan.
“TPH is working to ultimately bring COVID-19 vaccinations or access to nearby vaccinations to all public schools in the city,” the city said in a news release.
“In addition, children aged five to 11 will have an opportunity to get vaccinated at more than 450 participating pharmacies and dozens of fixed-site clinics operated across the city, including the five city-run immunization clinics.
“Currently, more than 110 doctor’s offices offer COVID-19 vaccines and more are coming on board.”
Extra clinics and resources will go into 30 “priority neighbourhoods” with lower-than-average vaccination numbers for teens and other indicators of the need for extra attention.
De Villa addressed some of the common concerns, saying scientific data overwhelmingly show that the benefits of young kids being vaccinated against the virus far outweigh any risk of side effects.
Asked about the possibility of anti-vaccination protestors disrupting clinics for children, de Villa said, “I recognize that some people have yet to be convinced of the benefit of vaccine,” but urged them to not interfere with the choice others are making for their children.
Still, plans are in place to ensure a “safe” environment for kids being vaccinated, she added.
Mayor John Tory told reporters he can’t imagine anyone “wanting to make pawns of children” by trying to stop parents who have decided getting their kids vaccinated is in the best interests of everyone.
Article From: The Star
Author: David Rider
