Health P.E.I. says child vaccine rollout is going smoothly
CBC
Health officials say P.E.I.'s COVID-19 child vaccination campaign is going off without a hitch.
Marion Dowling, chief nursing and professional practice officer at Health P.E.I., told CBC News: Compass that none of the community clinics currently offering the pediatric vaccine have run into any issues so far.
"The kids are excited although sometimes a little anxious as well to be at the clinic, but feeling quite proud to have their vaccine," she said.
The province said on Tuesday that 523 children aged 5 to 12 have received their first COVID-19 shot since the clinics began Friday, with 1,350 appointments booked for this week.
Clinics are scheduled for Montague, Souris, O'Leary, Charlottetown and Summerside.
Dowling encouraged parents to book an appointment for their children. But she said they may want to wait a bit if their child recently got their flu shot.
"We know many families have gone and got their annual flu shot as well this fall," she said. "There does need to be 14 days between another vaccine and the children receiving this dose. So just for parents to bear that in mind when they're booking these appointments."
Dowling said she understands that some parents still have reservations about giving the vaccine to their children, and encouraged them to get more information about it on the P.E.I. website.
"I'd encourage them to have the conversation with their children about the vaccine and the benefits and what the potential risks might be for their own situation," she said.
Dowling said no severe reactions to the vaccine have been reported, and that mild symptoms such as sore arms and fatigue go away in a day or two.
"It's important to recognize the fears people have about something new and immunizations in general," she said. "But many children on P.E.I. receive a whole suite of immunization throughout their childhood and do really well, and we have no indication that this should be any different."
Dowling said that the government plans to take advantage of the Christmas break to offer community clinics when parents and children can both be off.
Health P.E.I. is also looking to offer vaccines in schools starting in January.
Approximately 13,000 children are in the 5-11 age group in the province.
N.W.T. Education Minister Caitlin Cleveland says she has received the final report from an independent investigation into education bodies in the Dehcho region.
P.E.I.’s auditor general says he’s concerned and disappointed that the projected deficit has doubled what government initially estimated it would be — and he's urging the province to balance its budget.
A man found not criminally responsible for stabbing five people to death at a Calgary house party is getting more freedoms but not an absolute discharge.
A man has been found guilty of second-degree murder in the shooting death of a Toronto mother outside a supervised consumption site in Leslieville.
Russian olive trees — sometimes known as silver berry or oleaster — are small, ornamental plants with silvery leaves and black bark, and small yellow flowers and silver fruit that look like miniature olives. They’re pretty, but they’re a problem.
The Yukon Legislative Assembly’s fall sitting ended on Thursday after the territorial government introduced and passed a supplementary budget.
A Canadian military counter-intelligence operative, who stands accused of passing sensitive information to Ukraine, was involved in an investigation into allegations that a leading Canadian defence journalist was a longtime Russian asset.
An Alberta panel aimed at finding ways the province can strengthen its autonomy has offered up seven recommendations, including options for referendum topics.
People won't be able to travel along B.C.'s Highway 3 without significant delays and detours over the holiday season, says the Ministry of Transportation.
Photos of a wooden box, allegedly used for student "time outs" at an elementary school in Akwesasne, drew shock and anger from parents this week and have prompted an investigation by the school district.
A 26-year-old man from Toronto has been arrested on terrorism charges, police announced on Friday, as well as charges for two attempted kidnappings in the Greater Toronto Area.
St. Jude’s Anglican Church in Iqaluit has fallen on tough financial times.
Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced a large shuffle of deputy ministers and senior public servants in a shake-up at the top of the public service that has long been expected around Ottawa.