The province is stepping up the effort to get more people vaccinated for the return to school in September. The Ontario government said Monday it is working with public health units and publicly funded school boards to plan and host vaccination clinics in or near schools to continue to fight COVID-19.
Clinics are expected to run before school starts and during the first few weeks of school. It's all part of Ontario’s strategy to target those who have yet to receive a first or second dose and will provide accessible and convenient access to vaccines for eligible students and their families, as well as educators and school staff who are returning to school this fall.
While COVID-19 vaccination continues to be voluntary for anyone eligible in Ontario, health experts and public health officials have initiated a campaign to encourage anyone who is able to get the vaccine before summer is over, as the concern grows about the highly-contagious Delta variant.
The province said the education sector, and public health units, are playing a critical role in getting youth vaccinated, and keeping students and families safe during this historic pandemic. With the new school year approach, Ontario said having more residents get the vaccine will help to ensure schools remain open for in-person learning for the full school year.
“We have made tremendous progress getting students, staff and their families vaccinated – they are critical to protecting schools and keeping our communities safe,” said Ontario education minister Stephen Lecce.
“As part of the last mile campaign to reach as many students and staff as possible and to keep schools as safe as possible, we are requiring school boards and public health units to roll out clinics in or close to schools. By making vaccines more accessible, and with a cautious reopening in September following the expert advice of the Chief Medical Officer of Health, we will further bolster our fight against COVID-19 and variants,“ Lecce added.
As of August 15, more than 69 per cent of youth aged 12 to 17 have received a first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and 56 per cent have received a second dose. School-focused vaccination clinics will support increased uptake for eligible students, as well as education staff, and a safer return to school in the fall, said the province, said the province.
Dr. Kieran Moore, Ontario's chief medical officer of health, supported this latest push.
“It is great news that our students are returning to school this fall, and that kids and youth will finally be together with their classmates to learn and get back to the activities they love,” said Moore.
“This is crucially important for their mental, physical and social wellbeing. Having vaccination clinics at our schools will make it more convenient for students to receive their vaccine in a familiar and comfortable environment and will help to ensure a safer and sustained reopening of our schools.”
With respect to consent at school-focused clinics, COVID-19 vaccines will only be provided if informed consent is received from the individual, including eligible students, and as long as they have the capability to make this decision. Health care providers, the school, and families must respect a young person’s decision regarding vaccination. Parents and guardians are encouraged to discuss vaccination with their children prior to attending a school vaccination clinic.
