COVID-19 Vaccination Stocks Decrease for 5-11 Year Olds in Waterloo Region | The Canadian News

In just two weeks, the Waterloo region has provided a first dose of COVID-19 vaccine to 14,425 children ages five to 11 in the area, according to Vickie Murray, who is leading vaccination efforts in the area.

She says that means 30.34 percent of the roughly 48,000 children in that age group have already received a dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

But Murray says the first wave of families booking appointments for their children is starting to wane.

“I think we were very successful, reaching 30 percent in two weeks,” he said.

“And I’ll be honest that the doses for children, the appointments for vaccines for children are slowing down in the clinics.”

The pharmacy director for Kitchener’s two major hospitals couldn’t say for sure why that was happening, but offered her thoughts.

“Some of that, I think, is that every time you implement something new, there is always a kind of bell curve of how fast people get out,” Murray told reporters Friday morning.

“And so I think when you look at that curve, we have surpassed the numbers of eager adopters, correct, with our 30 percent.”

Trend stories

• 

  A divided family: when parents, children disagree with COVID-19 vaccines

• 

  Suicide capsules being developed in Switzerland, giving users a painless death

He said the next wave of people looking for vaccines will take a little longer to come forward.

“So now we are in the maintenance phase, where people may not rush out because they are busy and they will integrate it into their day,” Murray said.

“They will make sure they have spent time and energy finding the educational information they need before booking appointments.”

She said they will eventually head to a clinic, doctor or pharmacy to get the vaccine and hopes the Christmas season opens the time to get vaccinated.

“People are very, very busy right now and I am very hopeful that when school is over … we will see a small increase in dating,” Murray said, noting that many activities, such as dance class, would be on. rest, which could open free time.

He also noted that part of the reluctance may be due to the fact that the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine has just been approved.

“And I hear from people that despite our best efforts to spread the word and share information, there are people who still need more information or don’t know the ways they can get the vaccine,” Murray said.

The woman leading the region’s vaccination effort says the goal of vaccinating children is the same as everyone else’s: 90 percent.

“Is it a reasonable goal that we are going to achieve? “she asked.” I don’t know. I’m still going to catch up. Thirty percent in two weeks seems like a good start. “

This weekend, the region had an Every Dose Counts event scheduled for the Pinebush Clinic with the goal of vaccinating 6,000 children, but it is far from full.

Murray said there were still 850 appointments available for the event over the weekend.

Due to the lack of demand, the region opened the clinic for those who work in the health sector or those over 70 years of age to receive their third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

“So we want to make sure that our capabilities are working to the maximum extent possible, which is why we have opened it up to third doses,” he said.

“And it’s a balancing act because giving people the first few doses is a priority, but it’s also important to give those third doses.”

See link »