TORONTO — Mike Schreiner released the following statement regarding COVID-19 vaccines for children aged 5 – 11:
“The Premier is leaving parents guessing with no clear plan for vaccinating kids under 12.
Health Canada is likely to approve the vaccine for kids under 12 very soon, but there’s no details on what the rollout will look like in Ontario.
Parents are asking questions, but the province is short on answers.
It’s a guessing game for parents and families that want to do everything possible to keep their children safe. Cases are rising among kids under 12, and schools are being shut down. Vaccinating kids ages 5-11 will provide another crucial layer of protection and is an important step towards putting this pandemic behind us once and for all.
Ontario can’t be left scrambling once Health Canada approves the under 12 vaccine. We need a plan now.
Other provinces are planning ahead: B.C., for example, already has a pre-registration system in place.
But once again Ontario is lagging.
Experts have cautioned that the mass vax site approach that worked for adults will likely not be effective for kids. So what is the plan?
I’m calling on the Premier to provide parents with the clarity and plan they deserve.”