Hamilton elementary students can now get vaccines in class with parent permission

Hamilton's chief medical officer of health says she is encouraged" by participation in COVID-19 vaccine clinics at Hamilton schools.

More community members have made the decision to protect themselves, their loved ones and the broader community," Dr. Elizabeth Richardson said in an email Wednesday.

But numbers show uptake has been relatively low.

Between Feb. 4 and 14, 597 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine were administered at 19 clinics in Hamilton schools. Four hundred and fifteen - or 72 per cent - were in children ages five to 17.

This means an average of about 30 people were vaccinated at each school clinic, which ran for three to four hours on evenings and weekends. Public health said previously clinic staff have enough supply to meet the demand of school communities, which would have hundreds of students, plus staff and parents.

As of Feb. 3, 51 per cent of Hamilton kids ages five to 11 have had a first dose - compared to 54 per cent provincewide - and 26 per cent have had two doses. Eighty-five per cent of youth ages 12 to 17 have had a first dose, and 81 per cent are fully vaccinated.

Sixteen more weekday clinics are currently scheduled at public and Catholic schools in Hamilton between Feb. 17 and 25. Public health is no longer hosting weekend clinics at schools as it is prioritizing its resources to complete vaccine administration during instructional time," public health spokesperson James Berry said in an email.

Public health is currently collecting consent forms for elementary students to be vaccinated during the school day.

Nurses began to administer vaccines during instructional time on Feb. 15. Public health is working with boards to have nurses visit all public and Catholic elementary schools by March break, which begins on March 14.

This is providing even more choice and convenience for children five to 11 to receive a COVID-19 vaccine," he said.

Students and their families can also get vaccinated at Lime Ridge Mall, local pharmacies, provincial mobile clinics and clinics led by community partners, Berry said.

Kate McCullough is an education reporter at The Spectator. kmccullough@thespec.com