Safe return expected for unvaccinated Mississauga and Brampton kids when fall classes resume
Published July 14, 2021 at 7:17 pm
Peel Region’s Medical Officer of Health (MOH) is confident of a safe return to school in September for children who have not yet been vaccinated.
Dr. Lawrence Loh, Peel’s MOH said recently that even though there are no immediate plans to vaccinate children under the age of 12 (roughly the age of elementary school children), enough measures are in place for a secure classroom environment.
He said the measures that were already put in place during the past school year including cohorting, distancing, masking and other steps are tools that can still be used for that young age group to return to classrooms.
Dr. Loh added that as more adults get fully vaccinated, transmission rates are expected to decrease which should also cut down on the number of children infected.
As of yet, a COVID vaccine has not been approved for children under the age of 12 but health experts say one may be ready by early 2022.
In the meantime, the Province of Ontario is expected to announce this month a protocol for children returning to the classroom in the fall.
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In Peel Region, 30 per cent of those in the 12 to 17 age category are now fully vaccinated and the expectation is that most in this group will have received both doses by September.
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