Medical experts remind caregivers about the importance of child vaccines
With more and more kids falling behind, medical experts are reminding parents about the importance of child vaccinations.
Be it COVID-19 or routine vaccinations, the child uptake rate is low and that has some concerned.
"This is the first time we're dealing with the COVID pandemic and a full-on flu season so our message is clear, to get vaccinated, caught up on our COVID vaccinations," said Dr. Rose Zacharias, president of the Ontario Medical Association.
"Every child six months and older (should) get a flu shot this season and also back-to-school, routine immunizations are behind in kids. So we do want families to make appointments with their family care providers to get caught up on those shots."
Nationwide, the OMA said kids ages 5-11 are only at 40 per cent vaccine uptake, compared to 82 per cent of the general population.
Earlier this week, that same age group of children became eligible for their first COVID-19 booster shot in Ontario.
"We are encouraging everyone to come in and get caught up to date on their COVID-19 vaccines," said Zacharias.
"This time of year, COVID and viruses of all types like to travel indoors and so as we gather in classrooms, indoor settings and the colder weather, it's more likely that we'll be passing viruses among us so getting caught up on our vaccines is key."
"Locally in our districts, we do have, unfortunately, a large number … of children that are overdue for their routine immunizations," said Public Health Sudbury and Districts Christina Ashawasegai.
Ashawasegai, who works with the schools, said it's due to several reasons, including having to pause their regularly scheduled programming because of the pandemic.
"Because of that, Public Health has been reviewing all the records of every eligible child within our districts," she said.
"We've been contacting them to let them know they're overdue. Please make an appointment, we're trying right now to meet people where they're at-- we have mobile clinics and we're offering clinics at our Paris Street location, but also other areas within the district to make sure we can reach everyone."
Routine immunizations include everything from tetanus, HPV and mumps.
"We ask you to consider all vaccines and make those decisions in consultation with your health care provider, Public Health and weigh your own personal situation," Ashawasegai said.
"Vaccines are safe and we ask that everyone who is eligible receives them in a timely manner. Vaccines are very important."
Those who don't get them risk getting the illness themselves and passing it on to those who are more vulnerable and immunocompromised.
More information on the vaccine clinics at Public Health Sudbury & Districts can be found on its website.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. seeks ban on using drugs in 'all public spaces,' shifting approach to decriminalization
The B.C. government is moving to have drug use banned in 'all public spaces,' marking a major shift in the province's approach to decriminalization.
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.
Trump's lawyers try to discredit testimony of prosecution's first witness in hush money trial
Donald Trump's defence team attacked the credibility Friday of the prosecution's first witness in his hush money case, seeking to discredit testimony detailing a scheme between Trump and a tabloid to bury negative stories to protect the Republican's 2016 presidential campaign.
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.
Air traveller complaints to Canadian Transportation Agency hit new high
The Canadian Transportation Agency has hit a record high of more than 71,000 complaints in a backlog. The quasi-judicial regulator and tribunal tasked with settling disputes between customers and the airlines says the backlog is growing because the number of incoming complaints keeps increasing.
More than 115 cases of eye damage reported in Ontario after solar eclipse
More than 115 people who viewed the solar eclipse in Ontario earlier this month experienced eye damage after the event, according to eye doctors in the province.
'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.
76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid says he has Bell's palsy
Philadelphia 76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid has been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, a form of facial paralysis he says has affected him since before the play-in tournament.
U.S. flight attendant indicted in attempt to record teen girl in airplane bathroom
An American Airlines flight attendant was indicted Thursday after authorities said he tried to secretly record video of a 14-year-old girl using an airplane bathroom last September.