Families rush to get kids vaccinated

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This article was published 26/11/2021 (1476 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The COVID-19 pediatric vaccine has arrived in Brandon, and the dash for doses has begun.

The Pfizer vaccine for children five to 11 years old became available this week at pharmacies and doctor’s offices in the city. The Keystone Centre supersite will offer the vaccine starting today.

At the Shoppers Drug Mart pharmacy on Victoria Avenue East, the two very first children to be immunized at the facility waited eagerly.

Brother and sister Joel Gatza, 6, and Natalie, 9, rolled up their sleeves to receive their first doses.

Their next stop? Dinner at McDonald’s — a treat they were promised ahead of time.

Natalie said simply there was nothing to the whole process and the pain was no worse than her little brother pinching her.

Joel gave a big smile and a thumbs-up to show how happy he was to get his first dose.

Their grandmother, Valerie Shurb, brought them in to get their dose. She said she is relieved they finally got their first dose, marking the beginning of the end to a lot of her family’s worries.

“All of my kids are in the medical field, so we had to keep our circle very tight to protect them.”

She added she wanted them to get their shot at a pharmacy rather than at a large clinic site because she was concerned about her grandkids being surrounded by a lot of children who may not react as happily as they did.

However, she did say she is very pleased to see so many families booking appointments to get their children immunized. Most of the people she knew were going to the supersite at the Keystone Centre for their children’s COVID-19 vaccine.

The siblings don’t have school today, so in the event they feel a little ill from the vaccine, Shurb said it was going to be a pyjama day for her grandkids anyways.

Health Minister Audrey Gordon and Dr. Joss Reimer, medical lead for the province’s vaccine implementation task force, were joined by pediatrician Dr. Jared Bullard and six children for a media event showcasing the vaccine and the #ProtectMB Kids campaign earlier this week.

The campaign involves a video aimed at children explaining the process and what parents and children can do to make the experience a comfortable one, such as bringing a favourite toy or book, wearing a short-sleeved shirt, having parents tell stories and maybe having an ice pack to place on the injection site in case it is sore.

Each child gets a sticker or colourful bandage after their shot.

Gordon hailed the arrival of the vaccine as a cause for celebration now that young children can be protected against the virus, too. She encouraged all parents who are thinking about getting the vaccine to take the time to research and involve their children in the decision-making process, but stressed the vaccine was safe and the best weapon in protecting their children from infection.

Reimer reiterated young children are less likely to develop severe COVID-19 symptoms, but are still at much greater risk of illness and detrimental harm than any side-effects the vaccine may bring.

It has been a long wait for the vaccine, but it was due to rigorous testing and research, Reimer explained. The Pfizer pediatric vaccine was thoroughly tested and approved by Health Canada. All available evidence shows it is highly effective in preventing infections and reducing the severity of COVID-19.

“Cases are rising among this age group because they have not been eligible for a vaccine until now,” Reimer said. “I encourage all parents and guardians of younger children to visit our website, talk with your health-care provider and to use the helpful tips we are making available so that immunization will be a positive experience for your child and a decision the kids can take pride in.”

» kmckinley@brandonsun.com