Health Canada is expected to make a decision on its review of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for children ages five to 11 in one to two weeks.
However, recent public opinion polls show parents are hesitant to get vaccinated with a recent Angus Reid Institute survey showing that 51% of parents with children ages five to 11 are ready to vaccinate.
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Half of Canadian parents are ready to vaccinate their children against COVID-19: survey
Dr. Brian Conway, medical director of the Vancouver Center for Infectious Diseases, explains that anger and fear are the two main factors behind parental hesitancy.
“I hear two things, one is anger and the other is fear. In terms of anger, let me assure everyone that no one will be forced to get vaccinated. I think there will be some activities that will only be allowed for vaccinated people. In terms of fear, it really is fear of side effects, but I think it will be important for these families to remember that children have been vaccinated against many diseases since they were born.
Dr. Conway adds that short-term side effects are a possibility, similar to other vaccines children receive.
“The short-term side effects that we need to discuss and all the vaccines that children have been getting have these side effects, but the decision was that the benefit outweighs the risk and it is exactly the same with COVID.”
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BC Prepares to Vaccinate Children Ages Five to 11, Approval Expected Soon
The British Columbia government is scrapping the use of schools and will instead focus on community clinics to administer the COVID-19 vaccine to children ages five to 11 once it is approved.
Dr. Conway believes there will not be a vaccination mandate in schools for children ages five to 11, but that is something that has yet to be discussed.
“I think that is highly unlikely. School is an essential activity, not a discretionary one. We know what happens when we keep kids out of school, we did it last year and it was a disaster. But sports, extracurricular activities and some family-type events, that could be a possibility. “
Currently, only 20 percent of children in the age group are registered through the government website to be notified about when they can get the vaccine.
Dr. Conway adds that asking questions and receiving honest and objective answers is key for parents to be informed about the potential benefits and risks associated with the COVID-19 vaccine.
“I think these are questions that should be asked in your own words. They can just go online and see if the vaccine is safe. They need objective and honest answers and I think they need to know that they will not be forced to get vaccinated at all ”.
Currently, public health is working with the provincial education system to provide information about the vaccine directly to parents once it is approved.
Reference-globalnews.ca