The Ontario government is working with public health units and publicly funded school boards to plan and host vaccination clinics in or nearby schools to continue to fight COVID-19.
Clinics are expected to run before school starts and during the first few weeks of school. The program is part of the province’s last-mile strategy to target those who have yet to receive a first or second dose and will provide accessible and convenient access to vaccines for eligible students and their families, as well as educators and school staff who are returning to school this fall.
During July 2021, unvaccinated individuals were approximately eight times more likely to get infected with COVID-19 compared to those who were fully vaccinated.
While COVID-19 vaccination continues to be voluntary for anyone eligible in Ontario, health experts encourage anyone who can get the vaccine as a highly effective tool in the fight against COVID-19 and its variants.
The education sector, and public health units, have played a critical role in getting youth vaccinated and keeping students and families safe during this historic pandemic. As Ontario continues with its vaccination program and rollout, ensuring all eligible Ontarians who wish to receive the vaccine can get one will ensure schools remain open for in-person learning for the full school year.
As of August 15, more than 69 percent of youth aged 12 to17 have received a first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, and 56 percent have received a second dose.
In Halton, 73 percent of youth aged 12 to 17 are fully inoculated against COVID-19, and 85 percent have received their first vaccine dose. Halton is currently only providing Pfizer (mRNA vaccine) as of Friday, Aug. 13.
School-focused vaccination clinics will support increased uptake for eligible students and education staff and a safer return to school in the fall.
“It is great news that our students are returning to school this fall and that kids and youth will finally be together with their classmates to learn and get back to the activities they love,” said Dr. Moore, Chief Medical Officer of Health.
“This is crucially important for their mental, physical and social wellbeing. Having vaccination clinics at our schools will make it more convenient for students to receive their vaccine in a familiar and comfortable environment and will help to ensure a safer and sustained reopening of our schools.”
Vaccination consent
Ontario has not set a medical age of consent.
A child need not reach the age of majority to give consent to treatment. In almost all Canadian provinces and territories, the determining factor in a child's ability to legally provide or refuse consent is whether their physical, mental, and emotional development allows for a full appreciation of the nature and consequences of the proposed treatment or lack of treatment - Canadian Medical Protect Association.
Concerning consent at school-focused clinics, healthcare staff will only provide COVID-19 vaccines if informed consent is received from the individual, including eligible students, and as long as they have the capability to make this decision. Health care providers, the school, and families must respect a young person’s decision regarding vaccination.
Parents and guardians are encouraged to discuss vaccination with their children before attending a school vaccination clinic.
All vaccines delivered as part of Ontario’s vaccine rollout provide high levels of effectiveness against hospitalization and death from COVID-19 and its variants, including the Delta variant. During July 2021, unvaccinated individuals were approximately eight times more likely to get infected with COVID-19 than those who were fully vaccinated.
Halton District School Board and Halton Catholic District School Board will provide updates via their COVID-19 Advisory.
