Children receive COVID-19 vaccine in Ottawa as push continues to vaccinate all residents
A big day for nine-year-old Aiden Schulz as he gets his first COVID-19 vaccine shot at CHEO, in spite of his fear of needles.
"I feel nervous and a bit scared," said Schulz.
Aiden's mom, Tracy, chose CHEO's clinic hoping the smaller environment puts her son at ease.
"The hospital is meant for kids and I’ve been here before," said the young Schulz.
Both were bracing for the appointment based on their past experiences with other shots.
"We had to hold him down," said Tracy Schulz. "He lost it for an hour….wound up having him sit on my lap, my sister and mom had to pin him down. That’s how he got his flu shot."
The first weekend of paediatric vaccination clinics saw more than 5,000 doses administered in Ottawa as those ages 5 to 11 roll up their sleeves.
However, the push to get jabs into the arms of Ottawa residents over the age of 12 continues.
Ottawa Public Health reporting 91 per cent of residents 12 and older have at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and 88 per cent have two doses and are considered fully vaccinated.
Certain parts of the city are reporting higher vaccination numbers than other areas. The updated Ottawa Neighbourhood Study says in certain neighbourhoods, numbers hover in the 70 per cent range.
For instance, the vaccination rate in Ledbury – Heron Gate- Ridgemont has one of the lowest vaccination neighbourhoods in the city at 71 per cent. However, the latest numbers show an increase of nearly four per cent through the month of November.
"I think the key is not to push," said Kelli Tonner, the executive director for the South East Ottawa Community Health Centre.
Tonner suggests these numbers are a direct result of the outreach, pop-up clinics and information sessions throughout the community and with help from neighbourhood ambassadors and resident leaders.
"With patience, with consistent easy access and continued information with trusted providers, we will keep seeing those numbers go up," said Tonner.
Back at CHEO, it’s all smiles for the Schulz family as they made their way to the car post-COVID vaccine shot.
"They froze his arm with a bit of spray," said Tracy Schulz. "There was a fair bit of tears but it was definitely better than last time."
Though he is still afraid of needles, Aiden said he is ready for his second shot scheduled for January.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trend Line Anger, pessimism towards federal government reach six-year high: Nanos survey
Most Canadians in March reported feeling angry or pessimistic towards the federal government than at any point in the last six years, according to a survey by Nanos Research.
Lack of detention space could force CBSA to release detainees, internal memo warns
The Canada Border Security Agency is scrambling to find space to hold high-risk detainees that are set to be transferred from provincial jails in June.
BREAKING Allman Brothers Band co-founder and legendary guitarist Dickey Betts dies at 80
Guitar legend Dickey Betts, who co-founded the Allman Brothers Band and wrote their biggest hit, 'Ramblin' Man,' has died. He was 80.
BREAKING Police make arrests in grandparent scam that defrauded victims out of $739K
Ontario Provincial Police say they have 'disrupted' an organized crime group that allegedly used an emergency grandparent scam to defraud seniors across Canada out of hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Motion to allow keffiyehs at Ontario legislature fails
A motion to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh within Queen’s Park failed to receive unanimous consent Thursday just moments after Ontario Premier Doug Ford reiterated his view that prohibiting the garment in the House is divisive.
B.C. child killer's lawyer walks out of review hearing
The lawyer representing child-killer Allan Schoenborn walked out of his client's annual review hearing Wednesday – abruptly ending proceedings marked by tense exchanges and several outbursts.
How to avoid the trap of becoming 'house poor'
The journey to home ownership can be exciting, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew warns about the trappings of becoming 'house poor' -- where an overwhelming portion of your income is devoured by housing costs. Liew offers some practical strategies to maintain better financial health while owning a home.
Calgary man charged with manslaughter in death of toddler
Calgary police say Winston Campbell, 45, has been charged in the death of a two-year-old girl in 2022.
'Wild, wild west.' Families say organs of deceased Alabama inmates have been removed without their consent
The state Department of Corrections and the University of Alabama at Birmingham face disturbing allegations from the families of five inmates whose organs were removed and reportedly kept without consent, according to a series of lawsuits.