‘Concerning’ vaccination rates as kids prepare to return to classrooms
Kids head back to classes on Monday, but less than half of the youngest eligible group - the majority of elementary-school students - have a first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
In Hamilton, vaccination rates for kids ages five to 11, who became eligible in late November, have slowed. As of Jan. 12, 42 per cent have had a first dose - compared to 47 per cent provincewide - and six per cent have had two doses.
Socioeconomic factors could be playing a role, as the city's board of health heard Monday that the highest rates for this age group are in the most affluent parts of the city - Dundas, Ancaster, Glanbrook and west Hamilton.
Coverage was lower in central and east Hamilton, lower Stoney Creek and the east Mountain. Similar trends were found in school-by-school COVID vaccination rates reported in November.
Eighty-four per cent of youth ages 12 to 17 have had a first dose and 80 per cent are fully vaccinated.
School vaccination rates range from 92 per cent to 31 per cent, with private, faith-based schools overrepresented at the bottom of the list.
But Hamilton public health says the most recent data does not include the youngest age group, meaning rates at many elementary schools are likely much lower than recorded.
Hamilton public health allows parents to book a second shot for children as early as three weeks after the first jab, but recommends following national guidance, which advises an eight-week wait to maximize immunity.
Many parents are choosing to expedite their child's second shot as Omicron spreads.
Hamilton parent Andrew Roddick said his eight-year-old got a second dose five weeks after the first.
My logic was it makes sense to get as much vaccination as possible for this wave," he said.
Still, Roddick's daughter, a student at Earl Kitchener Elementary School in west Hamilton, will remain at home for a couple of weeks after schools reopen. High case counts and low vaccination rates among kids are concerning," he said.
We're just not comfortable, particularly with an (unvaccinated) three-year-old at home," he said. I couldn't forgive myself if she brought it home to her brother."
Kate McCullough is an education reporter at The Spectator. kmccullough@thespec.com