COVID-19: Edmonton Public School Board pushes for easier pediatric vaccine access

The Edmonton Public School Board will be sending a letter to the province asking for easier access to pediatric COVID-19 vaccines.

The Edmonton Public School Board is concerned about vaccination rates for kids between five and 11 years old. The board is now asking the Alberta government to make it easier to get a pediatric COVID-19 vaccine.

In a motion created by vice-chair Nathan Ip, it said in the last seven weeks, 39 per cent of that age group has received one dose of the vaccines, while four per cent has received both doses.

Ip said part of the issue is that getting to designated vaccination clinics can be a barrier for families, whether it’s transportation issues or finding time to take off work.

“Barriers to access will inevitably result in lower vaccination rates and that’s the opposite of what public health authorities want, and we as a school authority want the health and safety of our families,” Ip said.

The letter will be addressed to the ministers of education and health, as well as Premier Jason Kenney.

It will ask the province to offer mobile vaccination clinics, voluntary in-school clinics with the requirement of parental consent, and making pediatric vaccines available at pharmacies and doctors officers, in addition to the public health clinic.

“I do think that if province takes the steps to implement increased access through whichever methods, there will be those families that certainly appreciate it and require it,” Ip said.

“If there is anything that our schools can advocate for, (it) is to ensure that there is consistency and normalcy, so that we can focus on the learning of kids that is what we are going to do.