Ontario’s top doctor highlights COVID vaccines for children ages 5-11 are safe and effective | The Canadian News

Ontario’s top doctor stresses that COVID-19 vaccines for children ages five to 11 are safe and effective against the virus.

Dr. Kieran Moore made the clarifying statement Wednesday, after saying earlier in the day that vaccines are too new to require children to take them to school.

Those comments raised concerns from opposition politicians, who said Moore’s comments could make parents more hesitant to vaccinate their children.

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Liberal leader Steven Del Duca called on Moore to clarify or resign from his post, while NDP leader Andrea Horwath said she was also concerned about the comment.

Both parties have requested that the province add the COVID-19 vaccine to the list of vaccines required to attend school in the province.

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Asked Wednesday why the province hasn’t done that, Moore responded that the province wants “more experience” with the vaccine.

“It’s a new vaccine and as a result we want more experience with it before we mandate it,” he said. “I don’t think any jurisdiction in Canada has mandated the vaccine to date.”

His clarification, emailed later that day, emphasized that the vaccine is safe.

“I want to make it clear that Pfizer’s pediatric vaccine for children ages five to 11 is safe, effective, and provides strong protection against COVID-19 and its variants,” Moore’s statement said.


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COVID-19: Ontario students and staff will receive 2 rapid tests each when schools restart in-person


COVID-19: Ontario students and staff will receive 2 rapid tests each when schools restart in-person

“To date, millions of children ages five to 11 have received Pfizer’s pediatric vaccine and are benefiting from the strong protection provided, and the vast majority of side effects have been mild. I strongly recommend that all children ages five to 11 get vaccinated as soon as possible.”

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Ontario children in that age group became eligible for COVID-19 vaccines late last year. As of Wednesday, 47 percent of children ages 5 to 11 had received the first dose of the vaccine and 4 percent had received both shots.

Moore said at the news conference that he “would love to see more uptake of the vaccine” and touched on plans to run more clinics in schools when classes resume in person next week.

He also referenced resources available through SickKids Hospital in Toronto that address common questions from parents about COVID-19 vaccines.

Prime Minister Doug Ford also said Wednesday that he wants more children to get vaccinated against the virus.

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Speaking at a Toronto vaccination clinic, she encouraged parents to quickly submit consent forms for school-based vaccination clinics so that Ontario can quickly protect more children from the virus.

“When the children bring home the permit, parents, when you have them, sign them. Please sign them and get them back,” Ford said. “We are going to vaccinate children in schools. That is the fastest and best way.”

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