One-third of Manitoba's new COVID-19 cases are in kids under 12: Reimer
The medical lead for Manitoba Vaccine Implementation Task Force is informing the public on the number of the province’s new COVID-19 cases that are in kids under the age of 12.
“Kids under 12 make about one-third of COVID-19 cases overall,” said Dr. Joss Reimer at a news conference on Wednesday.
“And kids under 12 make up 75 per cent of cases in schools right now.”
Reimer said more and more cases are appearing in unvaccinated populations, including those under the age of 12. She noted Manitoba is not seeing many severe cases in children right now, but said there are some.
“We want parents of youth under age 12 to be ready and to feel confident to decide to immunize their child once the COVID-19 vaccine is approved and recommended by NACI and Manitoba for these young people,” Reimer said.
“In the meantime, if you have questions ask your pediatrician; ask your family doctor, your nurse practitioner, or your health-care provider.”
Currently, the COVID-19 vaccine is not approved for children under the age of 12; however, this could soon change for kids aged five to 11.
At the news conference, Reimer said Health Canada is reviewing the use of the vaccine in kids in this age group, and that Pfizer formally asked Health Canada for approval last week.
She noted the province still doesn’t know exactly when the vaccine will be approved for five to 11-year-olds, but health officials believe it could come as early as the middle of November.
Reimer said she understands that people are cautious about vaccinating their kids, and parents need to think about what is best for their children.
“I think it’s really important that parents look to NACI as a source of reliable and trustworthy information, because that’s what NACI does,” she said.
“They really spend a lot of time to make careful and cautious recommendations about what’s best for Canadians.”
Reimer noted that the task force is looking into a wide range of locations where parents will be able to have their kids immunized with consent, including doctors’ offices, pharmacies, and community and pop-up clinics.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'A beautiful soul': Funeral held for baby boy killed in wrong-way crash on Highway 401
A funeral was held on Wednesday for a three-month-old boy who died after being involved in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 in Whitby last week.
'Sophisticated' cyberattacks detected on B.C. government networks, premier says
There has been a "sophisticated" cybersecurity breach detected on B.C. government networks, Premier David Eby confirmed Wednesday evening.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
Biden says he will stop sending bombs and artillery shells to Israel if they launch major invasion of Rafah
U.S. President Joe Biden said for the first time Wednesday he would halt shipments of American weapons to Israel, which he acknowledged have been used to kill civilians in Gaza, if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu orders a major invasion of the city of Rafah.
Canucks claw out 5-4 comeback win over Oilers in Game 1
Dakota Joshua had a goal and two assists and the Vancouver Canucks scored three third-period goals to claw out a 5-4 comeback victory over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 1 of their second-round playoff series Wednesday.
Nijjar murder suspect says he had Canadian study permit in immigration firm's video
One of the Indian nationals accused of murdering British Columbia Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar says in a social media video that he received a Canadian study permit with the help of an Indian immigration consultancy.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Quebec premier defends new museum on Quebecois nation after Indigenous criticism
Quebec Premier Francois Legault is defending his comments about a new history museum after he was accused by a prominent First Nations group of trying to erase their history.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his brain more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.