Alberta is expecting a COVID-19 vaccine for children in the coming weeks; injections administered by AHS
According to Blue Cross, the first shipments of Pfizer’s children’s COVID-19 vaccine will arrive in Alberta in the coming weeks.
“Alberta Health Services public health clinics will be the primary providers of COVID-19 vaccines for children aged 5 to 11 years old,” reads a post on the Blue Cross website.
“In some areas where AHS clinics are not easily accessible, a limited number of community pharmacies may be required [to administer]. ”
Read more:
Desperate for a COVID-19 vaccine, some Canadian parents take their children to the US
That means most Albertan children won’t be able to get the vaccine at the pharmacy.
The reason, according to the Blue Cross post, is that Canada was one of the first jurisdictions to approve the use of the Pfizer vaccine in children and there is “an important need for the availability of surveillance and regulatory data.” most accurate. ”
That kind of tracking isn’t always done at pharmacies. Therefore, only pharmacies that use and maintain certain records are required to provide the vaccine, if needed.
Eligible pharmacies will be contacted directly to see if they are profitable.
The upcoming approval is very important: doctor
Dr. Tehseen Ladha is a pediatrician in Edmonton.
She said the upcoming approval is “really, good news,” not just for parents and children – but for the community as well.
“Reducing transmission rates among the 5 to 11 age group will help bring this pandemic, hopefully, eventually, to an end,” Ladha said.
Read more:
COVID-19 vaccine for 5-11 year olds possible in ‘one to two weeks’: Health Canada
Education and awareness will be key to the rollout for children, she added. Ladha hopes Alberta Health will focus on providing essential information to parents.
“There needs to be educational resources, awareness campaigns and disinformation targets.
“COVID-19 is not just like the flu. I’ve seen kids with COVID, kids who have suffered greatly from COVID. ”
Kathleen Wolff said the 9-year-old girl asked almost every day when she could be vaccinated.
“We are really excited,” said Wolff. “My youngest child is the only one in the family who is not vaccinated, he feels neglected. She doesn’t want to get sick and knows that’s important. She is ready. ”
Wolff said she hopes Alberta Health has a clear campaign geared towards parents.
“Encourage parents to get vaccinated… I know that’s the group I’ve been hearing about who aren’t sure about childhood immunizations. Get the right information online,” she said.
“This could be what ends things for us and we don’t ideally join the fifth wave.”
Read more:
Talk to your doctor: The fight against misinformation like a children’s COVID-19 vaccine is coming
Grandfather Gordon Riley said he still has questions about vaccines for children.
“If it’s safe, that’s a good idea. I have nothing against it,” he said. “My nephew, I don’t want him to get sick because of him.”
Ladha highly recommends getting children vaccinated as soon as possible.
“From a parent’s perspective, I understand the need to do what’s right for your child and the anxiety that comes with those decisions.
“If there is concern, contact your GP. Look for powerful sources of information, not on social media.”
Premier Jason Kenney was asked about Alberta’s approval and plans for a vaccine rollout at an unrelated news conference Thursday morning.
“COVID-19 poses an extremely small risk to very young children for serious outcomes,” says Kenney. “The science is clear that seasonal flu in general has a lower risk of consequences for young children than COVID-19.”
Kenney said he is waiting for Health Canada’s approval – and is encouraged that Health Canada is “not rushing the process”.
Read more:
US approves Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine for 5-11 year olds, rollout could begin on Wednesday
Ladha said his comments present a dangerous narrative that could make parents more hesitant about vaccines.
“The flu doesn’t create long-term medical complications like long-term COVID can. Ladha says flu is not contagious like COVID.
“At this stage of the pandemic, that is a very irresponsible comment. We also know there is a flu vaccine… so now there is a COVID vaccine. ”
Edmonton Public Schools told Global News AHS has not yet said whether it will use the school as a vaccine access point for 5-11 year olds. Edmonton Catholic said as of Thursday, AHS or Alberta Health has yet to contact the immunization clinics.
Alberta Health did not respond to a request for comment.
– With files from Kirby Bourne / 630 CHED
© 2021 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
.
