Brampton makes push for kids to receive COVID vaccine immediately

The City of Brampton wants children to be vaccinated as soon as possible.

Councillors approved a motion this week urging the Provincial government to lower the age for the vaccination program now that Health Canada has determined the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine is now safe to give to children ages 12 and up.

“The more kids we get protected, the less platform the virus has to move and spread,” said Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown. “Needless to say getting vaccinated is important so we (City council) passed a motion asking for the Province to make vaccines available for those over 12 now that it is recommended by Health Canada.”

Brown said there has been some discussion at senior government levels about rolling the vaccine program out to youngsters by this summer, but the mayor says there is no reason to wait.

“The sooner the better,” said Brown.

Health Canada says testing indicates those 12 and older should be given the same dose as adults, pointing out that clinical studies carried out in the U.S. found the vaccine 100 percent effective in children aged 12 to 15.