Low COVID-19 vaccine uptake in young kids concerning as viruses swirl, doctors say

COVID-19 vaccines for children under five in Canada have been available for more than three months, but so far only a small fraction of eligible kids have received a pandemic shot.

COVID-19 vaccines for children under five in Canada have been available for more than three months, but so far only a small fraction of eligible kids have received a pandemic shot, which is prompting doctors to sound the alarm as other viruses circulate and overwhelm children’s hospitals.

Data compiled by the federal government from the provinces shows just 6.5 per cent of children aged four and under have been administered at least one dose of the vaccine.

This is despite a dedicated advertising blitz launched in August by the federal government called the “lots of questions” campaign, aimed at raising awareness among parents about the benefits of COVID-19 vaccination and the safety and efficacy of the pediatric vaccines approved by Health Canada.

The campaign, which ran from Aug. 29 to Oct. 30, was shared on a number of digital platforms, including websites and home screens as well as social media sites, such as Instagram, Tik Tok, Youtube, Facebook and Pinterest. Targeted radio spots and ads through search engine results were also used, according to a statement to Global News from Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC).

Now that multiple viruses are circulating in Canada, including the virus that causes COVID-19, there has never been a more important time for kids to get their shot, said Anne Genier, senior media relations adviser for Health Canada and PHAC.

“Getting infants and children in your care vaccinated with a COVID-19 vaccine can help protect them against severe illness and hospitalization. This is important this fall as we all spend more time together indoors and children attend school and daycare,” she said.

While most children who get COVID-19 have mild or no symptoms, some children, including those without underlying health conditions, can get very sick and must be hospitalized, Genier said.

“Data continue to show that children under 5 years of age may be more likely to be hospitalized from COVID-19 than older children,” she said.