Ottawa doctor hosts Junior Jabapalooza amid lagging paediatric vaccination rates in Ontario
Amid lagging paediatric COVID-19 vaccination rates in Ontario, a local family physician once again put on a 'Junior Jabapalooza' to immunize children between the ages of 5 and 11.
Ten-year-old Katja Einarson got her second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine on Sunday, doing her part to keep the community safe.
"I'm doing fine, the person who did it made it numb, so I didn't feel anything at all," Einarson said.
"The vaccines are a step toward protecting our kids and everybody in the community," added her dad Leif Einarson.
Ottawa family physician Dr. Nili Kaplan-Myrth put on the clinic once again in an effort to help boost vaccine coverage for kids.
"Kids from ages 5-11 coming for their first or second doses, coming inside, and we're doing drive through for children with disabilities," said Dr. Kaplan-Myrth.
"Right now, the risk is still very high that kids will get COVID at school, and by having two doses, the children are significantly better protected," she added.
Ontario's paediatric vaccination rates are among the lowest in the country. Just 51.9 per cent of kids between 5 and 11 across the province have had at least one shot. In Ottawa, 66 per cent of children aged 5 to 11 have received one shot, while 16 per cent have received two doses.
The COVID-19 vaccination coverage among kids, some experts say, is increasingly important with a recent return to in-person learning.
"In general for that group vaccinating them can help them but also the community. For them I really worry about their mental health and keeping schools open," said Dr. Doug Manuel, senior scientist at The Ottawa Hospital.
Dr. Manuel is also driving the importance of a booster shot for adults, suggesting a change to vaccine passports could be needed.
"A two-dose passport doesn't make a lot of sense scientifically, a three-dose passport does, but it's a another mandate, and it's not perfect," said Dr. Manuel.
And so, while kids like Katja did their part Sunday, she has a message for many in the province still without a shot.
"It makes it safer to have your second dose and they really should get it if they feel it's safe for them," she said.
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.