Ontario science table calls for ‘school-based’ approach to youth vaccination

Ontario’s COVID-19 science advisory table is reacting to the prospect of Health Canada approving vaccines for young children.

On Tuesday, the group outlined four recommendations for a successful campaign on what they say is evidence-based data from previous childhood vaccination programs and findings from behavioural science studies.

The science table says school-based vaccinations are the best approach, linked with a strong endorsement from trusted healthcare providers.

“Given [the] ongoing implementation of the youth COVID-19 vaccination program in Ontario and pending Health Canada approval of COVID-19 vaccines for children aged 5-11, increasing COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and uptake in children and youth will help allow them to continue safely returning to pre-pandemic activities by reducing transmission, hospitalizations, and severe outcomes,” the science advisory table noted in their findings.

The table suggests putting reminder systems and public health communication campaigns in place and getting primary care doctors on board to recommend the shot.

RELATED: FDA panel backs Pfizer’s low-dose COVID-19 vaccine for kids

Health Canada is reviewing data from Pfizer-BioNTech, which submitted an approval request for its pediatric COVID-19 vaccine for children aged five to 11 this month.

Pfizer’s data on kids between five and 11 showed a safe and robust immune response from two doses, one-third of the size given to teens and adults.

A recent survey by Angus Reid showed 51 per cent of parents plan to immediately vaccinate their kids when a pediatric dose becomes available, while 23 per cent said they would never give their kids a COVID-19 vaccine, and 18 per cent said they would wait.

Speaking after an unrelated announcement in Ottawa on Tuesday, Premier Doug Ford said he wants everyone to get vaccinated, including healthcare workers and eligible children but said he understands if parents may not want their kids to get a shot.

“I want to leave that up to the parents when it comes to five to 11-year-olds,” Ford said. “Do we want to get them vaccinated? Yes, but there are some parents that are vaccinated. They’re a little hesitant at (their children’s) age of five or six. I get it.”

Health Minister Christine Elliott said Tuesday that Ontario would be ready to roll out vaccines for five-to-11-year-olds as soon as there is approval.

With files from The Canadian Press and CityNews reporters Mark Douglas and Kaitlin Lee