Manitoba parents getting ready for vaccinations in kids 5-11, pending Health Canada approval
Manitoba is getting ready to vaccinate younger children against COVID-19 and it has some parents preparing to take their kids in for a shot.
Pfizer has officially requested Health Canada approval for its vaccine to be given to kids between the ages of five and 11.
“If it’s going to keep them safe why not,” said Shandy Kakekayash, who hopes her 7-year-old daughter will become eligible.
Kakekayash is fully vaccinated and she wants her daughter to get immunized to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and to better protect her when she’s in school.
“She’s kind of nervous and scared but she also thinks it’s probably a good idea,” Kakekayash said.
Dr. Joss Reimer, medical lead of Manitoba’s Vaccine Implementation Task Force, said the province has been preparing and expects to be ready for the rollout to start by the end of November, pending approval from Health Canada.
“This is a really important development for Manitobans,” Reimer said.
So far just over 82 per cent of eligible Manitobans have received two doses, which doesn’t include the five to 11 age group, which has so far been ineligible for the shots.
“Achieving high vaccination rates in both adults and children is key to controlling the spread of the virus, ending the crisis phase of the pandemic in Manitoba and protecting the mental health of children by keeping schools open and ensuring that kids can participate in all of their normal activities,” Reimer said.
While health protocols remain in place for many activities, children under 12 are currently exempt from vaccine requirements to attend certain businesses and events where proof of immunization is required.
“At this point, we are not planning on removing that exemption from those kids under 12,” said Dr. Brent Roussin, Manitoba’s chief provincial public health officer.
If the vaccine is approved, Reimer said children would be able to get the vaccine in physician clinics, pharmacies, public health clinics, and at some point through a school-based program.
While children are less likely than adults to experience severe outcomes, they can still get sick and spread the virus to others.
“Me and my daughters had it,” said Kakekayash. “It was hard because we had to quarantine for a month because I had to do my two weeks and then do my kids two weeks to make sure that we were all safe.”
Something Kakekayash hopes they won’t have to do again.
Reimer said Health Canada will only give its approval for kids between 5 and 11 if their independent and scientific review of Pfizer’s submission shows the vaccine is safe and effective in younger children.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Western University researchers unlock potential 'cure' for ALS
New research out of London, Ont.'s Western University is shedding light on a potential cure for ALS, in which the targeting of the interaction between two proteins can halt or fully reverse the disease's progression.
Police release 3D images of young child found in an Ontario river two years ago
Police have released a three-dimensional image of a young child whose remains were discovered in the Grand River in Dunnville, Ont. almost two years ago.
B.C. brings in law on name changes on day that child killer's new identity revealed
The BC NDP have tabled legislation aimed at stopping people who have committed certain heinous acts from changing their names.
Kamala Harris drops F-bomb during White House live-stream
U.S. Vice-President Kamala Harris used a profanity on Monday while offering advice to young Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders about how to break through barriers.
B.C. man fighting for refund after finding someone living at Whistler vacation rental
Edwin Mostered spent thousands of dollars booking a vacation home in Whistler, B.C., for a group skiing trip earlier this year – or so he thought.
Avs forward Valeri Nichushkin suspended at least six months
Colorado Avalanche forward Valeri Nichushkin was suspended for at least six months without pay and placed in Stage 3 of the league's player assistance program.
Collapsed Baltimore bridge span comes down with a boom after crews set off chain of explosives
Crews conducted a controlled demolition Monday to break down the largest remaining span of the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore.
Security video caught admitted serial killer disposing of bodies in Winnipeg garbage bins
Security video caught admitted serial killer Jeremy Skibicki on multiple late-night outings, disposing of body parts in nearby garbage bins and dumpsters in the middle of the night.
Mortgage companies could intensify the next recession, U.S. officials warn
U.S. officials worry the next recession could be intensified by a cascading series of failures in the mortgage industry caused by crashing home prices, frozen financial markets and soaring delinquencies.