Kids COVID vaccine campaign ramps up in the capital amid concerns over new variant
Ottawa's COVID-19 vaccination campaign for children ramped up on Saturday as thousands of kids between 5 and 11-years-old rolled up their sleeves for their first shot.
All seven of Ottawa's community vaccination clinics are now offering paediatric doses this weekend.
The push to immunize as many as possible has been amplified by concerns over a new variant emerging from southern Africa.
Ottawa's clinics were running full speed Saturday; there were lineups outside some sites.
"A lot of relief that we're finally able to get the shots in the kiddos and excited about the next one," said Toufic Zayoun, after their kids received the first shot.
More than 1,400 doses were administered Friday to kids between 5 and 11 in the capital. As of Friday afternoon, Ottawa Public Health said nearly 5,000 appointments had been booked for the first weekend.
This comes though as concerns of a new COVID variant emerge. The Omicron variant, first detected in southern Africa, appears to be more transmissible.
"I think it's too early to panic," said Dr. Kwadwo Kyeremanteng, an Ottawa critical care physician.
"We haven't had any solid data to show it could evade the vaccine, it's hard to gauge how it would respond in our setting where we have extremely good vaccination rates."
For now, Dr. Kyeremanteng is pushing for continued caution and encourages immunization.
"To me the message that's loud and clear right now is we need to think about global vaccinations very seriously," he said.
The new variant of concern is already on the minds of parents too.
"Any new variant that comes up is always concerning and it's just nice to have that extra layer of protection for the kids now too," said Christie Cowan, after her two kids got their first shot Saturday.
She's hopeful increased immunization will mean a more normal heart ahead for kids in the capital.
"If this means schools stay open, especially after Christmas, this means everything to them," said Cowan.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
4th Indian national arrested, charged with murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Homicide investigators in B.C. say murder charges have been laid against a fourth Indian national in connection to the killing of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar outside a Surrey gurdwara last year.
'I am angry': Alberta farmers will continue fight over world class motorsport resort
The rolling hills leading to the hamlet of Rosebud are dotted with sprawling farms and cattle pastures -- and a sign sporting a simple message: No Race Track.
Man ticketed after allegedly trespassing again at Drake's Bridle Path mansion to get his bike
A man who tried to access Drake’s Bridle Path mansion earlier this week returned to the property Saturday and was apprehended again for allegedly trespassing, Toronto police say.
Couple randomly attacked, 1 stabbed, by group of teens in Toronto, police say
A man has been transported to hospital after police say he was stabbed in a random attack carried out by a group of teens in Toronto on Friday night.
Millions of Canadians have been exposed to potentially toxic chemicals, and they're not going anywhere
For decades, North Bay, Ontario's water supply has harboured chemicals associated with liver and developmental issues, cancer and complications with pregnancy. It's far from the only city with that problem.
Biden calls Trump 'unhinged,' says 'something snapped' in former president after he lost 2020 U.S. election
U.S. President Joe Biden on Saturday called Donald Trump “clearly unhinged” and claimed that “something snapped” in the former president after he lost the 2020 election.
Wildfire that forced evacuation of Fort Nelson, B.C., caused by tree falling on wires, mayor says
The wildfire that prompted the evacuation of more than 3,000 people near Fort Nelson, B.C., was caused by a tree falling on wires, according to the municipality's mayor.
Switzerland's Nemo wins 68th Eurovision Song Contest
Swiss singer Nemo won the 68th Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday night with 'The Code,' an operatic ode to the singer’s journey toward embracing their nongender identity.
IN PICTURES Northern lights dance across the night sky in southern Ont.
From London, to Grand Bend, Collingwood and Guelph, here are some highlights of Friday night and Saturday morning's northern lights display.