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
Latest updates on air quality alerts, and when the smoke may reach Ontario and Quebec
Wildfires have led Environment Canada to issue air quality advisories for parts of B.C., Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and the Northwest Territories, as forecasters warn the smoke could drift farther east.
Ellen DeGeneres addresses the 'hurtful' end of her talk show in new stand-up set
Ellen DeGeneres is reflecting on how her talk show came to an end in her newest Netflix special, 'Ellen's Last Stand ... Up Tour.'
Steal a car, lose your driver's licence under new Ontario proposal
Repeat car thieves may face lengthy licence bans under proposed changes to Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act.
B.C. brings in law on name changes on day that child killer's new identity revealed
The BC NDP have tabled legislation aimed at stopping people who have committed certain heinous acts from changing their names.
What to pack during an emergency
Knowing what to have at home, or take with you for an evacuation, can be useful and even life-saving.
Significant police presence as Israeli flag flies at Ottawa City Hall
The Israeli flag is flying at Ottawa City Hall today to mark the country's national day, with plans to hold a private ceremony to mark Israel's Independence Day. There is a significant police presence at City Hall, including security barriers outside the main doors.
Hot history: Tree rings show that last northern summer was the warmest since year 1
The broiling summer of 2023 was the hottest in the Northern Hemisphere in more than 2,000 years, a new study found.
Regulated area for invasive box tree moth expanded to parts of the Maritimes
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has added much of the Maritimes to a regulated area for an invasive species.
Already expensive, planning for fertility treatment difficult as costs vary widely
Being unable to have a child naturally can be extremely difficult. But when you factor in the high costs of fertility treatments, the range of individual circumstances and the fact that the industry itself is secretive about fees, it can make the whole ordeal even more devastating and hard to plan for.